Thane: HSC student dies after falling from local train on way to board exam

Soham Kathare, 18, died after falling from a local train on Tuesday. Pic/By Special Arrangement

An 18-year-old Std XII student died on the morning of the first day of the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations after falling from a local train between Mumbra and Kalwa stations.

Soham Sachin Kathare, a resident of Dombivli, was travelling to Kalwa for his English board exam when the incident occurred. According to Government Railway Police officials, he was declared dead at a Thane hospital at 10.30 am, before the exam began at 11 am on February 10.

Soham left home around 8.30 am for the examination. "I got a call from the police station at around 11.30 am informing me of his accident. Soham was a quiet child, and now we have lost him," said his father, Sachin Kathare.

Soham Sachin Kathare, an HSC student from Dombivli, who was declared dead before the start of the Std XII board examination. Pic/By Special Arrangement

"Once the hospital procedures are completed, we will go to our native place in Satara. An accidental death report has been filed." Soham is survived by his parents and a younger brother.

Rush-hour travel

Neighbours and relatives said Soham attended an afternoon junior college and was unaccustomed to travelling during peak hours. The family had shifted to Dombivli only a year ago and earlier lived closer to his college.

His teacher, Vaishali Devendra Konkar, said he was a science student at New Kalwa High School. "It would help if students were given special compartments or priority access during board exams," Konkar added.

Exam day details

>> Exam centre: Manisha Vidyalaya, Kalwa
>> Exam time: 11 am to 2 pm
>> Attendance: Student marked absent
>> Teachers informed: After invigilation duty at 2.30 pm

Teachers later visited the hospital and met Soham's family. "He had suffered a head injury. We tried to keep the news quiet, but his friends found out through social media and are reaching out to the family," Konkar said.

Associations want action

The incident has renewed calls for action over overcrowding in local trains.

Ketan Shah of the Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee announced a protest.

"Trains are running late daily, passengers are dying due to overcrowding, yet no action is taken. We appeal to citizens and passenger organisations to gather at Thane railway station on February 11 at 8 am wearing black," he said.

Siddhesh Desai of the Kalva Mumbai Suburban Railway Passenger Association, a commuter-centric group, echoed the concern, questioning the lack of accountability despite repeated fatalities linked to overcrowded trains.

At a glance

Student: Soham Sachin Kathare, 18
Residence: Dombivli
Route: Dombivli to Kalwa
Incident spot: Between Mumbra and Kalwa
Exam: HSC English paper
Date: February 10

8.30 am
Time Soham Kathare left his home for the exam centre