MUMBAI: A track maintenance worker, on duty between Mahalaxmi and Lower

stations, died on Wednesday morning after a commuter on the footboard of a passing train kicked him.

Shravan Sanap (47), the track technician, was on duty with a team of eight.

“As soon as the supervisor saw the train approaching the tracks where the work was on, he blew a whistle to alert workers to clear out. Two of them, including Sanap, moved to the west of the train and the rest to the east,” said a WR official.

Namdeo Awhad, who was standing aside with Sanap, said, “Someone from the Churchgate-bound train kicked Sanap, who lost his balance. As he fell, his head hit the emergency steps fitted below the footboard of that train.”

Awhad and the others rushed Sanap to Mahalaxmi station, where a 108 ambulance was parked. But they could not find the driver or the paramedic in the ambulance. The team then took him to BMC’s Nair Hospital at Mumbai Central, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Awhad said the GRP refused to take down his statement and instead said they would record the motorman’s. A WR official said, “The motorman learns of accidents that only taken place ahead of the train. In this case, the accident occurred after three coaches had passed by the site.”

WR said they will check CCTV footage. WR Ravinder Bhakar, chief PRO, has appealed to members of the public to come forward with any information that might help nab the culprit.

WR sources said Sanap is entitled to an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh, apart from additional compensation under the Workmen’s Act, ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. His widow or children are also entitled to a job in the railways.