Man dies after being hit by coconut thrown from moving train

 

By Sumesh Rajan | September 30, 2025

Vasai, Maharashtra, INDIA: A 30-year-old man, identified as Sanjay Dattaram Bhoir, tragically lost his life on Sunday after being struck on the head by a coconut allegedly flung from a passing suburban train near Naigaon. The incident occurred on Saturday September 27 morning when Bhoir was on his way to work.

According to the Vasai Government Railway Police (GRP), Bhoir, a resident of Panju Island, was walking along the Naigaon–Bhayandar railway creek bridge around 8:30 am on Saturday (September 27). At that time, a commuter traveling on a local train is believed to have thrown a coconut into the creek as part of religious offerings (nirmalya). The coconut, however, struck Bhoir with full force on the head, causing a grievous injury.

Succumbed During Treatment

Bhoir was initially rushed to Sir DM Petit Municipal Hospital in Vasai in an unconscious state. He was later shifted to a Mumbai hospital for advanced treatment, but despite doctors’ efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday morning, reportedly due to severe head trauma and heavy blood loss.

Religious Offering Gone Wrong

Investigators said the coconut was likely part of ritual offerings routinely discarded from trains into the creek. Witnesses and locals confirmed that such practices are common on bridges near Naigaon–Bhayandar and Virar–Vaitarna, where passengers toss coconuts, flowers, and even idols into the water.

“This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Several villagers have been injured earlier by objects flung from local trains. The railway administration must strictly enforce a ban and take action against offenders,” said a Panju Island resident.

Community Outrage

The death has sparked anger and grief across Panju Island, a small settlement located in the middle of the creek with no direct road access. Residents said the railway bridge is their only link to the mainland when ferry services are suspended, making them vulnerable to such accidents.

“This is a deadly consequence of careless religious practices. What was meant to be a ritual has ended a young man’s life,” another resident said.

Police Investigation Underway

The Vasai GRP has launched an investigation to trace the individual responsible. Officers said they are checking CCTV footage from nearby stations and seeking eyewitness accounts to identify the passenger who threw the coconut.

“We are in the process of registering a case. Such reckless acts pose serious danger to lives, and strict action will be taken,” said a senior railway police officer.

Demand for Stricter Enforcement

Local citizens have demanded that railway authorities and the administration issue strong advisories and impose penalties against passengers throwing items from trains. They have also urged the government to find safer, designated areas for immersion of offerings to prevent further tragedies.

For Panju Island residents, Bhoir’s death is a grim reminder of the risks they face daily while using the railway bridge. The community is now calling for urgent intervention to ensure no more lives are lost to what they term “avoidable negligence.”