Now, citizens need to beware of flying objects, too

The accident spot on 18th Road in Khar West on December 2

It is heads and a tales here. A helmet-shod man's life was saved after a tree fell on him at an under-construction building site on 18th Road in Khar West, while he was riding his motorcycle. The 69-year-old man suffered injuries to his chest, head and arms due to the incident and was admitted to a hospital to undergo treatment.

Following the incident, the Santacruz police registered an FIR against the unknown construction contractor and site supervisor for negligence, specifically for failing to secure the construction boundary with proper safety barricades, said our report.

His son claimed that his father's helmet saved his life. This shows that helmets, especially good-quality ones that one is supposed to wear, are lifesavers, though this is a happy coincidence. Just a couple of days ago, this edit space had asked only half in jest, whether Mumbaikars now need to wear full body armour given the number of infra projects and redevelopment initiatives on in the city. In Mumbai, where roads are dug up and footpaths are encroached, uneven or broken people have been taught or learnt the hard way to keep their eyes to the ground when they negotiate stretches of road.

This is especially true of pedestrians who have to do a balancing act when they are on the roads. Now, though there is yet another danger zone when out and about in the city, ‘missile like' objects falling from above. This is usually from construction sites or infra projects.

All construction sites need to be barricaded. If there is a chance of trees being affected or weakened due to digging, agencies responsible need to be informed and measures taken so that the tree does not collapse.

Meanwhile, if traffic authorities make an example and ambassador of this gent saved by wearing a helmet, it will send a strong message to many.