Vadodara, Jan 24: One person died of cardiac arrest when he went to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh Khan at the Vadodra railway station, teeming with fans of the Bollywood superstar, who arrived here on board the August Kranti Express on Monday to promote his upcoming film Raees. Social activist Farid Khan Pathan of Hatikha area of Vadodara, who arrived at the railway platform with his wife and daughter as the family was an avid follower of the actor, fell unconscious after suffering a cardiac arrest at the railway platform. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, his family members confirmed. Two others also got injured as the crowd went berserk to catch a glimpse of Shah Rukh.
Earlier, reports said he felt suffocated during a stampede at the railway station and then suffered a heart attack. The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd during which some persons sustained minor wounds on their head and face. Two constables of the Railway police also collapsed during the chaos and are undergoing treatment. They are said to be out of danger.
The Bollywood actor is travelling with the film’s director Rahul Dholakia and producer Ritesh Sidhwani from Mumbai to Delhi on August Kranti Express train to promote Raees which hits the screens this week on January 25.
Shah Rukh Khan expressed grief over the death. Calling the incident unfortute, the 51-year-old actor said he was saddened and praying the family of the deceased stays strong. The dead man was a relative of a colleague travelling with the actor.
“One of our colleagues was travelling with us. Her uncle came to see her at Vadodara. He suffered a cardiac arrest. It was really unfortute,” Shah Rukh told the media at the Hazrat Nizamuddin station here. “We started the journey thinking we all will travel, spend time with each other... When one of your own loses someone on a trip like this, it saddens us all.”
He further said: “On behalf of everyone, our prayers and blessings are with the whole family. We have some of our people with the family there.” (IANS)