'I just need my daughter back'; Two fatal injuries on head, Sreekutty still in critical condition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: “I just need my daughter back. She is barely 19 years old. My girl is lying frozen in that ventilator”, said an emotional Priyadarshini. The pain of the mother crying and wailing over the tragedy that befell her daughter left the whole of Kerala in anguish and pain.

Sreekutty (Sona), a native of Palode Pacha, is on a multi-speciality ventilator at the Medical College Hospital after being kicked out of the Kerala Express by a man in an inebriated state. Priyadarshini, who works in Bengaluru, learned of her daughter's tragedy while attending a wedding ceremony in Malappuram. Priyadarshini is a swimming instructor at a private school in Bengaluru.

There are two fatal injuries to Sreekutty’s head. There is also an injury to the spine. There are more than twenty injuries all over the body, and she has not regained consciousness. Health Minister Veena George instructed the Medical College Superintendent to form a medical board and ensure expert treatment for the girl.

Sreekutty and Archana boarded the general compartment from Aluva. Both were fellow passengers. The accused boarded from Kottayam. The attacker made indecent gestures at the women since the time he entered the train. Sreekutty and Archana went to the toilet after the vehicle passed Varkala. Archana went to the toilet first. Sreekutty was standing at the door. The accused reached there and asked her to move, which she refused. This led to a small war of words between the two.

Sreekutty, who was facing the other side holding the rail bar, was suddenly stomped from behind by the attacker. The passengers next heard the woman letting out a scream before falling on the track. Archana, who came out of the toilet, screamed after knowing the incident. Upon seeing Archana, the accused tried to push her out, too, but she somehow held strong on the rails and screamed for help. The other passengers reached for help, and by this time, the accused had fled to another compartment. The passengers followed and caught him. When the train reached Kochuveli station, he was handed over to the RPF officials.

Sreekutty is on a ventilator in the critical care ICU. A full-body CT scan was done. There are no major bone fractures or any serious problems in the chest or abdomen. Deputy Superintendent Dr Kiran is leading the treatment.