Nagpur: A tragic incident was narrowly averted on Tuesday afternoon when a large tree collapsed on Quarter No. 94 inside the Nagpur Police Line premises, injuring some children. The situation could have turned fatal if not for the quick and selfless act of a 15-year-old girl, who risked her own life to save her younger brother.

The children injured in the incident have been identified as Samruddhi Amit Dolas (15) and Siddhartha Amit Dolas (6) — daughter and son of former Nagpur Police Inspector Amit Dolas, who was recently transferred to Pimpri-Chinchwad. The siblings were playing near their residential quarters when the tree suddenly came crashing down.

In a display of immense courage, Samruddhi quickly pushed her younger brother out of the tree’s path, shielding him from the brunt of the impact. Both children were injured but escaped with non-life-threatening wounds and were immediately taken for medical treatment.

Despite the seriousness of the incident, the fallen tree remained unattended for the rest of the day. Residents, including the Dolas family, repeatedly alerted senior officials to clear the debris or inspect other vulnerable trees.

The event has not only highlighted the poor maintenance within the Police Line premises but has also raised concerns about the delayed emergency response, especially in an area that houses families of active and retired police personnel.

Residents are now demanding swift action from the Nagpur Police Headquarters, urging them to inspect and remove dangerous trees across the premises. Meanwhile, Samruddhi’s brave act has been widely praised by locals, who believe her timely decision saved a life.

“She didn’t think of herself for a second,” said a family acquaintance. “Her courage is an inspiration.”