On a tragic day, the Gambhira Bridge near the Mahisagar River collapsed, leading to chaos and panic. Eyewitnesses described it as a scene of horror, with vehicles plunging into the water and desperate attempts to save lives. Tulkumar Thakor was one of the first responders. Upon hearing the news, he and a friend rushed to the site in an autorickshaw. “Everything was broken, and people were drowning,” Thakor recalled. “We saw an elderly woman floating in the water and managed to rescue her. Some injured drivers were also taken to the hospital.” Local residents, like Ashok Chavda, joined the rescue efforts before official teams arrived. Chavda helped rescue four people and recover five bodies. Another local, Arjun Parmar, launched a boat into the river and saved four more individuals. They acted quickly, as the police and fire department arrived much later. Eyewitnesses described the moment of the collapse as frightening. “There was a loud cracking sound, and vehicles began falling off the bridge like toys,” said Narendra Mali. He witnessed two trucks, an Eco van, a pickup, and two bikes plunge into the river. Some victims were trapped and could not escape. Survivors shared their near-death experiences. Sanjay Chavda, who was riding his bike across the bridge, said, “I slammed the brakes just in time. My bike stopped right at the edge. My friends and I just ran. It was terrifying.” Raju Athiya was also caught in the disaster but managed to escape. Razak, a resident of Borsad, was in a pickup van when the driver warned them seconds before it fell. “Had we delayed by even a few seconds, we wouldn’t have survived,” he said. The collapse led to heartbreaking losses. Sonal Padhiyar was the only survivor from her family that was traveling in a pickup van. Though she escaped, her husband and two young children drowned. “The river’s current was strong. I screamed for help for nearly an hour, but no one came,” she sobbed. Ganpatsinh Solanki, who was driving a chemical tanker, also survived. He had often noticed issues with the bridge and felt it shake whenever heavy vehicles passed over it. The collapse raised questions about safety and maintenance. Many locals had expressed concerns about the bridge’s stability in the past. As rescue efforts continued, the community came together in the aftermath of the tragedy. The bravery of the locals highlighted the spirit of unity in times of crisis. Their quick actions saved lives and provided comfort to the affected. The collapse of the Gambhira Bridge serves as a stark reminder of the importance of infrastructure safety and community resilience. Such tragedies can unite people and encourage them to support one another in difficult times. As the investigation into the collapse begins, it is crucial to ensure that similar incidents do not happen again. The stories of courage and loss from this event will not be forgotten, and they will continue to resonate within the community for years to come.
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