Doctor's Last-Minute Duty Call Ends in Tragedy in Chatra Air Ambulance Crash
In a heartbreaking incident, a 34-year-old anaesthetist who agreed at the last minute to accompany a patient to Delhi was among the seven people killed in an air ambulance crash near Simaria in Chatra district on Monday evening. The crash has sent shockwaves through the medical community and the families of the victims.
Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta's Selfless Act
Dr. Vikas Kumar Gupta, posted at Ranchi Sadar Hospital, stepped in after another doctor scheduled to travel with the patient reportedly declined to go at about 5 pm. With little time left, Gupta was requested to take up the medical evacuation assignment. According to family members, he prioritized duty and immediately agreed to accompany the patient, Sanjay Kumar, on the chartered air ambulance.
"He did not think twice. For him, the patient came first. We never imagined that this would be his last journey," a relative said, highlighting Gupta's unwavering commitment to his profession.
Details of the Fatal Crash
The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, killing all seven on board, including the patient, the medical staff, and the flight crew. The air ambulance was scheduled to reach Delhi at 8:15 pm, but at 8 pm, news of the crash reached the families, plunging them into grief.
Family Background and Personal Life
Gupta, a native of Mainka village under the Madanpur police station of Bihar's Aurangabad district, left behind his elderly parents, wife, and an eight-year-old son. His wife, Meena Kumari, is an employee of the State Bank of India and is posted in Ranchi. His elder brother, Subhash Prasad Gupta, is an officer in the agriculture department, posted in Bokaro, while his sister resides in Delhi.
The family is in a state of shock as his body was brought to the Chatra Sadar Hospital around 7:50 am on Tuesday for the post-mortem. "It is hard to believe that Vikas is no more. This is a shock that I doubt the family will ever recover from," said Yugesh Kumar, his cousin, while talking to TOI at the hospital.
Professional Journey and Dedication
Gupta completed his MBBS from a medical college in Cuttack and later specialized in anaesthesia. He was actively involved in medical evacuation missions and was known among colleagues for his commitment towards critical care cases. He got the job in 2015 and served at the Latehar hospital before coming to Ranchi, and got married in 2016.
Family's Grief and Plea for Compensation
Vikas's father, Bajrangi Prasad Gupta, broke down as the body was brought to the hospital. "I spoke to him minutes before the aircraft took off. I am finished. (Mai barbad ho gaya)," he cried. He described Vikas as a caring son and also sought proper compensation to secure the future of his eight-year-old grandson, emphasizing the need for support in this tragic time.
This incident underscores the risks faced by medical professionals in emergency evacuations and the profound impact of such tragedies on families and communities.
