Title - Hampi Express accident: Cancer sufferer left without his identity

Eshwara Merwade of Gadag had expected to be in a hospital in Bangalore on Wednesday.

But what he hadn’t dreamt of was being brought to the city drenched in the blood of his co-passengers. Advised by a doctor at the Government Hospital in Gadag, Merwade, accompanied by his better half Pramila, was travelling in the ill-fated Hampi Express train on Tuesday to avail treatment for cancer.

Merwade was to visit the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology for treatment,but fate had other plans for him. Merwade is one of eight injured availing treatment at the Railway Hospital in Bangalore.

The Hampi Express had crashed into a stationary goods train early on Tuesday morning, killing 25 and seriously injuring at least 40 others. Eight of the injured were brought to the Railway Hospital after they expressed their wish to undergo treatment in the city.

Merwade did land up in a hospital, but the wrong hospital and for the wrong reasons. He now has other, bigger reasons for worry now - he cannot avail of treatment at concessional rates since he lost his ration card, documents showing his medical history, as well as a recommendation letter from the Deputy Commissioner of Gadag. Now, unless the food and civil supplies department provides Merwade with a BPL ration card, he will be unable to receive concessional treatment. Life is back at square one.

Pramila, herself, is thankful to the gods for her providential escape; she was even able to save another person from the compartment that caught fire. Recalling the ghastly experience, Pramila said her saree was soaked in blood and she had to tear it off to escape from the mangled compartment. “I will never forget the generosity shown by the people of Penukonda, who donated clothes to us. We are getting good treatment at this hospital and the staff are very dedicated,” she said.

For Manjunath of Doddaballapur, who was returning from a pilgrimage, the accident will keep him confined to the bed for the next month or so. His daughter, Archana, is not sure whether she can go to school when it opens in June.

“I am working as a coolie at a powerloom factory and I earn only Rs1,000 per week. I am praying to god so that I can get back to work as I am the sole breadwinner of the family,” said Manjunath.

Another couple, Durgamma and Huligappa of Koppal, have no idea what fate has in store for them next. They were on their way to Mandya to eke out a livelihood; but today they lie in the hospital, admitted for fractures. Durga was operated on Wednesday; her husband is recovering from his injuries.

Meanwhile, Dr RP Buden, Chief Medical Superintendent, SW Railway Hospital said three patients required surgery and were operated upon on Wednesday. Others will be discharged within a week.

“We are providing food to attendants of the patients too,” he added.