In a tragic incident at Elante Mall in Chandigarh, a 11-year-old boy named Shahbaz died after a toy train overturned. Shahbaz, a fifth-grade student, sustained severe head injuries when the train derailed. The police have seized the toy train and registered a case of negligence against the operator, Saurabh, a resident of Bapu Dham, and the owners of the company following a complaint by the boy's father, Jatinderpal Singh.
Amandeep Kaur, a family member of the victim, has leveled serious allegations against the mall's administration, accusing them of negligence. According to Mrs. Kaur, Shahbaz had insisted on riding the train, and the family complied. She stated that the mall did not provide an ambulance or first aid following the accident, forcing them to take Shehbaz to Government Hospital of Sector-32 themselves. Unfortunately, the boy succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Jatinderpal, a resident of Balachaur Nawanshahr, recounted that his aunt was visiting for summer vacation, and during an outing to Elante Mall, Shahbaz and another child wanted to ride the toy train. Pal paid Rs 400 for the ride but did not receive a receipt from the operator. During the third round of the ride, the toy train suddenly overturned, causing Shehbaz's head to hit the floor and the train to fall on top of him, resulting in a deep head wound and significant blood loss.
Both the parents criticized the mall's response, highlighting the lack of immediate medical assistance and safety measures, such as seat belts and age guidelines for riders. They had to transport Shahbaz to the hospital themselves, where his condition deteriorated, and he was declared dead after three hours.
The victim's family is calling for stringent action against those responsible. The police have obtained CCTV footage from Elante Mall, which shows Shahbaz attempting to get out of the toy train. Initial investigations indicate that only two children were on the train at the time of the accident.
The incident has raised serious concerns about safety standards and emergency response protocols in public entertainment facilities. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the full extent of negligence and ensure accountability.