Faridabad: Jagdish Prasad, the police inspector, who died while attempting to rescue people after a swing collapse at the Surajkund Mela on Saturday, was due to retire in March.
At least 15 people were injured in the accident. There could have been more injuries or even deaths, had Prasad and others not reacted in time and pulled out people before the entire structure collapsed, eyewitnesses said.
Prasad, who had completed 36 years in service, was posted in the police lines at Palwal. Originally from Mathura, the 59-year-old officer was duty in-charge of the zone where the swing was located, a Faridabad Police spokesperson has been quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
The officer’s son Gaurav Kunjil (32) said that the family does not know whom to hold responsible. Prasad is survived by his wife and three children. Kunjil is the eldest among the siblings and the other two are daughters.
Prasad’s widow was inconsolable when she reached the mortuary at the Badshah Khan Civil Hospital. “Mujhe chor ke chale gaye (He left me)”, she sobbed.
After one end of the swing collapsed at the fairground, many people, including shopkeepers and policemen, rushed to rescue people. While the rescue operation was underway, the swing broke from the other end as well and fell to the ground, the police said. Several people, including Prasad, got stuck and were seriously injured.
“Inspector Jagdish displayed extraordinary courage, dedication to duty, and human compassion while on duty”, Haryana DGP Ajay Singhal said.
“Due to his promptness and bravery, many lives were saved, setting a living example of the highest traditions of police service,” he added.
“It happened all of a sudden. I was near the (deceased) police officer when it (metal) fell…,” one of the injured said.
At least 18 ambulances reached the spot to take away the injured to nearby hospitals. Many were released after first-aid.
The annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela is a renowned event held at the historic site. This year, the focus was on the vision of Viksit Bharat-Atmanirbhar Bharat. The fair will end on February 15.
