'I saw people die on the floor'

First person: Shekar MD was the first to click pictures of the Carlton Tower fire yesterday. PIC/SATISH BADIGER

Shekar MD, the first photographer to click pictures of the Carlton Towers fire, says he will never forget what he saw yesterday

Shekar MD (45), a professional photographer, says he will never forget what he saw yesterday.

"I saw people dying right in front of me. I'm completely shocked," said Shekar. "People who had gathered were aghast as those on top floors tried to jump down to save themselves."

Nasty surprise

Yesterday, on his way back home to Viveknagar after a shoot at Whitefield via Old Airport Road, one of the worst accidents awaited Shekar.

"Thick smoke was billowing from the Carlton Towers. I rushed to the building and saw the top floors were all full of smoke and those inside the building smashed glasses for air," said Shekar.u00a0

"There was thick black smoke on seventh floor and those inside waved their hands for help and cried loud.

Three jumped in front of me. Though two fire tenders had arrived, they were struggling to save victims, as there was neither sufficient staff nor rescue nets. Then a victim from third floor jumped on a safety net made of a plastic-like material got severely injured as the material tore, and he fell on the ground," recalled Shekar.u00a0u00a0

Fell from 7th storey

"A woman slipped as she tried to escape the fire with the help of a fire brigade ladder on the seventh floor. She hit a masonry protrusion before dropping to the ground. It is higly unlikely that she will survive the fall."