25-year-old youth ‘jumps off’ ambulance in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj, dies

A 25-year-old youth died after reportedly falling from a moving ambulance in Mayurbhanj district, prompting grave concerns. The incident occurred in Naranpur village under Barasahi police limits late on Monday evening. The deceased has been identified as Sufal Singh of Naranpur.

According to locals, Singh, who was allegedly in an intoxicated condition, was found lying unconscious near the village square. Locals alerted the 108 emergency ambulance service, which arrived and tried to shift him to Barasahi Hospital. On the way, however, Singh is said to have fallen off the vehicle.

He was rushed to Barasahi Hospital in a critical condition, but was declared dead by doctors soon after admission.

Police registered an unnatural death case and conducted a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death. Investigators are also examining whether negligence in ambulance safety protocols contributed to the tragedy.

Police Begin Probe

Barasahi police said an inquiry is underway into the circumstances surrounding the fall. Officers are recording eyewitness accounts while the ambulance staff are also being questioned. Officials indicated that any lapses in patient safety will be examined closely.

It is also being probed how the youth managed to jump off a moving ambulance and how he managed to open the doors while being intoxicated and reportedly unconscious at the time.

Broader Concerns over Rural Healthcare Access

Meanwhile, on the same day, a similar concern emerged from Koraput district, where a seriously ill man had to be carried for 2 kilometres in a makeshift sling to reach an ambulance.

In that incident, a 45-year-old man from Dasmantpur block had been suffering from an undiagnosed illness but was unable to access treatment due to poor finances and lack of proper road connectivity.

After local media reports, the health department intervened and arranged free medical assistance. However, with no motorable road leading into the village, relatives carried him manually to the ambulance.