Kozhikode: Aishwarya, a 22-year-old postgraduate student in bioinformatics at UC College, Aluva, was headed home when her routine journey turned into a nightmare. Stones hurled at the Alappuzha–Kannur Executive Express struck her face, causing severe injuries that required emergency surgery.

The resident of Thazhekuni in Eranjoly near Purameri had left for home on Monday morning after a light breakfast of samosa and tea, later skipping lunch. Her family, waiting for her arrival, was alarmed to learn she had been injured in the stone-pelting incident targeting the train.

Co-passengers informed her father, Ramakrishnan, about the facial injuries. The Railway Police later called, saying she had first been taken to Beach Hospital before being referred to a private hospital in Kozhikode for further treatment.

An emergency surgery restored her face, which was distorted due to fractured upper and lower jaws. Two teeth were lost, while others suffered damage. The surgery reportedly cost around ₹2 lakh, of which ₹60,000 has already been paid. Ramakrishnan’s modest income as a carpenter sustains the family and the education of three children, The family now remains hopeful of receiving assistance from the Railways. He added that Union Minister Suresh Gopi had contacted the family.

Aishwarya’s first-year PG examinations are scheduled to begin on April 16. She had originally planned to stay back in her hostel during the study leave. But a shortage of LPG disrupted food supply in the hostel and nearby eateries, following which she decided to go home.

She had moved to a window seat just before the stone pelting incident. Until then, a family with a small child had occupied the spot. They had alighted at the previous station.