Purushottampur: The body of an elderly woman, who had died in a lightning strike, had to be taken to the local community health centre (CHC) on a motorbike after no ambulance showed up for more than two hours.
The incident triggered outrage in the area as locals condemned the negligence of the ambulance authorities who did not show up even after repeated calls.
The deceased was identified as Tanu Gouda (45), wife of Panchanan Gouda of Bhutasarasinghi village under Purushottampur block in Ganjam district. Two others, including the deceased’s minor son, were injured critically in the lightning.
Sources said, the woman along with her son Seemanchal alias Raju Gouda (15), a student of Class IX, had gone to work on their farm near the village Sunday noon. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty surface wind and thundershower hit the village.
The mother-son duo was hit by lightning, leading to Tanu’s death while Raju was rendered critical. Another farmer working in a nearby field also was struck by the lightning and rendered critical. He was identified as Bibhupash Mohanty (60).
Villagers rescued all the three and took them to the village where Mohanty and the boy regained their consciousness while Tanu died after which locals called for an ambulance.
However, even after for two hours, no ambulance showed up. Similarly, the fire brigade team also did not show up after which the villagers decided to take the body to the local CHC for autopsy by themselves. Later, two youths of the village carried the body on a motorbike for three kilometers.
An ambulance finally reached the village and took the injured to Aska sub-divisional government hospital.
After getting information, the local tehsildar reached the CHC and took stock of the situation. He assured compensation for the bereaved family and free treatment for the injured persons.
PNN
