Jeevan Dhanda died following a tragic fall onto tracks at New Street Station
A teenager from Walsall was one of two men who died following a tragic fall onto tracks at Birmingham New Street.
Jeevan Dhanda, 18, and a 30-year-old man from Handsworth who remains unnamed were both found seriously injured on the tracks near the main line linking Birmingham with Wolverhampton at 5.49am on August 7, having fallen from a height.
Medics and the West Midlands Ambulance Service were at the scene to deliver first aid to the pair before both men were rushed to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Due to the injuries suffered from the incident, Jeevan died last Wednesday, August 13. The second man, who had been discharged from the hospital a day after Jeevan’s death, died on Monday.
Though the post-mortem examination results have not yet been provided to investigating officers, it is understood that complications arising from the original fall had caused the 30-year-old’s death.
The British Transport Police have dedicated officers to investigate the incident and are now attempting to piece together the pair’s movements on the day. Officers are keen to hear from anyone who had seen them in the area or earlier in the morning.
It is known that, hours before his death, Jeevan had attended a students’ night at nearby nightclub Snobs, off Paradise Circus Queensway.
Jeevan, a straight A student at Queen Mary’s Grammar School in Walsall, was about to start his studies in economics at Leeds University having achieved three As in his A-levels.
Alongside being a successful student, the teenager was also a talented hockey player and had been a member of Cannock Hockey Club. Following his death, his club has retired the number 55 shirt he wore.
His family said in his tribute: “Jeevan was a loving son and brother and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.
“He recently completed his education, securing 3 A grades and was due to study economics at University of Leeds, starting in September.
“Jeevan was an accomplished hockey player, playing for school, club and county.
“Jeevan was a beacon of love and happiness who bought joy to everyone who knew him. Our lives will never be the same without him and we were privileged to have had him for a short 18 years. Jeevan loved life and loved his friends and family equally.
“We would like to thank British Transport Police for their unwavering support during this tragedy. Also, as a family we cannot find enough words to convey our gratitude to all the doctors and nurses who looked after Jeevan in Critical Care unit B at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Birmingham.
“The care, compassion and professionalism of all the staff was exceptional.”
The Cannock Hockey Club committee said in a statement: “Jeevan was a lifelong member of Cannock Men’s Hockey Club and a very polite and intelligent young man.
“Notwithstanding his ability on a hockey field he is the sort of member who we, rightly, should be very proud of. Naturally, we are sure all of your thoughts will be with him, his family and his closest friends at this difficult time.
“In the meantime, we will be making arrangements for our members to pay their respects in a number of ways.
“The first will be a book of condolence and the second will be an area to lay flowers and other items of respect. Finally, we have taken the decision to retire Jeev’s playing shirt and number with immediate effect.”
It is still unclear how the pair came to be trespassing on the line and officers from the British Transport Police are continuing their investigations to establish the full facts which led to the incident.
Anyone with information can call freefone 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting incident reference 57 of 07/08/14.
