A tragic week-long struggle ended on Sunday morning after 15-year-old Aarica Shrivastav, who was critically injured in a tree collapse incident in Mumbai’s Khar area, died while undergoing treatment at Hinduja Hospital. The accident had taken place on May 10, when a tree standing inside the premises of an under-construction building suddenly crashed onto a moving autorickshaw. Aarica was among the three passengers travelling in the vehicle at the time. While doctors continue efforts to save another critically injured victim, 21-year-old Harshita Kumar, she remains admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in a serious condition, according to hospital officials monitoring her treatment.
The incident unfolded when sisters Manasvi Shrivastav, aged 19, and Aarica, along with their friend Harshita Kumar, were travelling in an autorickshaw for lunch. As the vehicle passed the construction site, the tree unexpectedly collapsed directly onto it, causing panic and severe injuries to the passengers. Manasvi sustained a fracture in her leg, while Aarica and Harshita suffered critical head injuries, including skull fractures, which left both unconscious. The autorickshaw driver immediately transported the injured women to Hinduja Hospital, where doctors admitted Aarica and Harshita to the ICU as their condition remained extremely serious throughout the past week.
Hospital authorities confirmed that Aarica died at 6.05 am on Sunday after battling life-threatening injuries for seven days. A medical officer from P D Hinduja Hospital stated that the hospital’s medical team made continuous efforts to stabilise her condition but could not save her despite intensive treatment and monitoring. Doctors added that Harshita Kumar continues to remain in critical condition and is still under close medical supervision in the ICU. The tragic incident has once again raised concerns over public safety around construction sites and the risks posed by poorly maintained or unstable trees during ongoing development work in Mumbai.