Teen declared brain dead after Mumbai's Khar tree crash dies in hospital

MUMBAI: Aarika Sumit Srivastava, 14,, who was injured in the tree crash incident on May 10, was declared dead on Sunday morning, doctors at P D Hinduja Hospital said. The other injured girl, Harshita Kumar, who was travelling with her in the same autorickshaw, remains critical and is admitted to the ICU of the same hospital.

Earlier this week, on Thursday, Srivastava had been declared brain dead following an apnea test. However, a second confirmatory test, required under medical protocol, was delayed as the family remained hopeful that their daughter would survive. Doctors, too, permitted the delay in conducting the test.

“Having met with the tragic accident on Sunday and valiantly fighting for a week, Aarika Srivastava, daughter of Binal and Sumit Srivastava, could not survive against God’s wish,” a message issued by the family stated.

Her funeral was conducted on Sunday morning.

A spokesperson from the developer from whose premise in Khar the tree crashed said, “During this extraordinarily difficult time, Bluestone remains fully committed to standing beside the affected family, extending every possible support, as and when required, with the utmost care, sensitivity and dignity as they navigate this painful loss.

Even as our immediate priority remains supporting the family, Bluestone is fully cooperating with authorities and has shared all relevant records to enable an independent and transparent technical assessment. Out of respect for the ongoing process and the sensitivity of this loss, any determination at this stage would be premature. Preliminary observations indicate concealed internal decay within the tree, including severe termite infestation, despite no visible external signs of instability. The development project is being executed in full statutory compliance, under rigorous engineering oversight and safety protocols. At this difficult moment, our focus remains on standing by the affected families and ensuring that the matter is assessed objectively, with conclusions guided solely by verified technical findings and expert assessment.”