Maharashtra Woman Dies in Ambulance Stuck in NH-48 Traffic Jam

A 49-year-old woman from Palghar, Maharashtra, tragically lost her life due to a traffic jam while being transported to a Mumbai hospital after sustaining severe injuries. Chhaya Purav's death has highlighted the inadequate healthcare facilities in Palghar and the traffic issues on NH-48, which connects the district to Mumbai.

On July 31, a tree branch fell on Ms Purav near her home in Madhukar Nagar, causing critical injuries to her ribs, shoulders, and head. Due to the absence of a trauma centre in Palghar, she was referred to Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai. The journey of approximately 100 km typically takes around two and a half hours.

Traffic Woes on NH-48

The ambulance carrying Ms Purav began its journey at around 3 pm with her husband accompanying her. However, they encountered a massive traffic jam on NH-48. After more than three hours on the road, they had only covered half the distance. The anaesthesia administered earlier began wearing off, causing Ms Purav immense pain.

As her condition deteriorated further, the ambulance diverted to Orbit Hospital on Mira Road around 7 pm for urgent medical attention. This hospital is about 30 km away from their intended destination. Unfortunately, upon arrival, doctors declared Ms Purav dead.

Husband's Heartbreaking Account

Kaushik Purav recounted his wife's suffering during those agonising hours. "I saw her suffering in unbearable pain for four hours," he said. He explained that despite their efforts to reach the hospital quickly, the traffic jam thwarted their attempts. "The road was full of potholes and that put her in so much pain," he added.

He also mentioned that vehicles driving from the wrong side exacerbated the traffic situation. "She begged to take her to a hospital at the earliest," Kaushik shared with NDTV. The doctors informed him that reaching just 30 minutes earlier might have saved her life.

This incident underscores the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure in Palghar and better management of traffic conditions on NH-48. Addressing these issues could prevent similar tragedies in the future and ensure timely medical care for those in need.