Kolhapur: In a bizarre and miraculous incident, a 65-year-old man from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, presumed dead by a hospital, was found to be alive when the ambulance transporting his “body” hit a speed breaker.
The Incident
Pandurang Ulpe, a resident of Kasaba-Bawada, suffered a heart attack on December 16 and was rushed to a private hospital. There, doctors declared him dead. Following the grim announcement, an ambulance was arranged to transport his “body” home for last rites.
On the way, as the ambulance hit a speed breaker, family members accompanying Ulpe noticed movement in his fingers.
“When we were bringing his ‘body’ home, the ambulance passed over a speed breaker, and we noticed his fingers move,” recounted his wife.
A Second Chance
Realizing he was alive, the family immediately redirected the ambulance to another hospital, where he was admitted to the ICU. Ulpe underwent angioplasty and received intensive care for two weeks.
Discharged on January 1, Ulpe shared his recollection:
“I had come home from a walk, felt dizzy, and experienced breathlessness. I don’t remember what happened next, including who took me to the hospital.”
Questions About Medical Error
The hospital that declared Ulpe dead has yet to provide a statement regarding the misdiagnosis. The family and others are raising questions about the oversight and the protocols followed in confirming his death.
This extraordinary turn of events has sparked discussions about medical errors and the importance of stringent checks before declaring a patient deceased.
