Since Parag Sawant had lapsed into a vegetative state of mind he was unable to see his daughter.
Parag Sawant one of the last survivors of July 11 2006 Mumbai suburban serial train blasts passed away yesterday. Sawant who was in coma for nine years is survived by his wife Priti and an eight year old daughter Praniti. Since Sawant had lapsed into a vegetative state of mind he was unable to see his daughter. Nine years back, Sawant was travelling in a Churchgate-Virar train to his home when a bomb ripped apart a coach of the suburban local near Bhayander. His wife was offered a job in the railways to help sustain the family.
Sawant had suffered extensive head injuries and brain trauma and was rushed to the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mira Road before being shifted to P.D. Hinduja Hospital in south Mumbai.
“I am sad to hear the news. In fact last week, I was discussing with his family members my plans to visit Parag (Sawant) at the hospital on the ninth anniversary of the 7/11 blasts next Saturday. His family and Parag took the tragedy bravely,” said Kirit Somaiya, Mumbai North-East BJP MP.
“Sincerely pray to Almighty to give strength to his family member’s to bear this irreparable loss. May his soul rest in peace” Ramesh Shah, a Borivali resident.
During his long stay in the hospital, Sawant had become popular among the masses for his will to live, had regained consciousness briefly in 2008, and was visited by personalities like former deputy prime minister L.K. Advani and union Minister Sushma Swaraj.
He remained in a coma for about two years, said consultant neurosurgeon Dr. B.K. Misra at PD Hinduja hospital who attended on him.
“His condition gradually improved to a semiconscious state, in which he understood simple commands. He underwent multiple operations for brain treatment and was thereafter on supportive care and physiotherapy for a few years,” Misra recalled.
A nurse had checked on Sawant early Tuesday, and found him stable. However, around 6 a.m., the oxygen level in his blood dropped and he was put on oxygen to stabilise his breathing.
“He suffered sudden cardio-respiratory arrest, after which a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation team took all measures to revive him but in vain. Parag Sawant was declared dead at 6:54 a.m due to cardio-respiratory arrest. The most likely possibility of immediate deterioration in his condition is pulmonary embolism,” Misra said.
The 7/11 Mumbai suburban trains serial blasts, carried out in a span of just 11 minutes, targeted the crowded suburban services during the evening peak hours as bombs kept in pressure cookers went off in north-bound locals on Western Railway.
As many as 209 commuters were killed and more than 700 others injured as bombs kept in pressure cookers went off in north-bound locals of the Western Railway at Bhayander, Borivali, Jogeshwari, Khar Road, Bandra, Mahim and Matunga Road. One unexploded bomb was found by police and defused at Borivali.
