Mumbai: 

It happened here: A banyan tree fell on Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Viswajeet Nikam at this spot in Mazagaon

In their continuing struggle to save the life of Assistant Divisional Fire Officer Viswajeet Nikam (41), surgeons at Bombay Hospital were forced to amputate a part of his left leg two days ago.

Nikam was badly injured last week after an old Banyan tree at Mazagaon fell on him. Nikam was rushed to Prince Aly Khan hospital, where doctors treated him for a fractured spine and left leg. He was shifted to Bombay
hospital later.

Nikam, a fire officer for 17 years, is the son of late chief fire officer V B Nikam. Chief Fire Officer A V Sawant said that Nikam was off duty the day of the incident and had gone to Sales Tax office in Mazagaon to pick his wife.

Around 6.15 pm, Nikam was heading towards his car when the tree fell on him, trapping him. Luckily, no other passer-by was injured.

Dr H A Chiniwala, the orthopedic surgeon at Bombay Hospital, told MiD DAY that they had to amputate Nikams leg from the thigh to prevent any septicemia, as the left leg had started showing signs of necrosis of the muscles. Also, his spine was operated recently for an L1 fracture and he is currently under observation.

Brave man

"He took the news of his amputation bravely. We will do everything possible to rehabilitate him, the entire fire department is with him," said Joint Chief Fire Officer Khargupikar.

The department will accommodate Nikam and will also arrange for an imported artificial leg made in Germany, which will help him to not only walk but also run, said Khargupikar.