A heart-stopping medical emergency on a routine bus journey in Kochi was averted on Sunday afternoon, thanks to the swift and decisive actions of a private bus crew. Their quick thinking turned a public transport vehicle into a life-saving ambulance for a 75-year-old passenger.
Mid-Journey Collapse Triggers Immediate Response
The incident unfolded around 12:30 pm on Sunday on a bus plying the Muvattupuzha–Piravom–Velloor route. As the bus navigated the Shoolamkunnu stretch near Piravom, passenger Mookkanattu Ramachandran, aged 75, suddenly became unresponsive. Conductor Muthu Kumar was the first to notice the alarming situation and immediately alerted the driver, Ananthu Krishnan.
Both crew members, residents of Muvattupuzha, recognized the gravity of the situation. Without wasting a moment, they contacted the bus owner, Niyas Jose, who instructed them to take the passenger to the nearest hospital without delay.
Bus Transformed into Emergency Vehicle
Showing remarkable presence of mind, the crew first ensured the safety of other passengers by letting them disembark promptly. Driver Ananthu Krishnan then took the wheel with a new mission: to get Ramachandran to medical help as fast as possible. He expertly manoeuvred the bus through traffic, effectively transforming it into an emergency response vehicle.
The bus was driven straight to the Muvattupuzha General Hospital, where doctors began treatment for Ramachandran immediately upon arrival. The crew's role, however, did not end at the hospital gate. Both Muthu Kumar and Ananthu Krishnan stayed at the hospital, taking the responsibility to inform the elderly man's relatives and ensuring he was not alone.
Team Effort Saves the Day
The driver and conductor only left the hospital after Ramachandran's family members arrived and his condition was reported to be stabilised. In later comments, the humble heroes emphasised that their rapid response was made possible by the full cooperation of the other passengers on the bus, who disembarked quickly and without complaint to clear the way.
This incident highlights how alertness and compassion in everyday professions can make the difference between life and death. The bus crew's coordinated effort—from first detection to hospital handover—serves as a powerful example of community responsibility and quick emergency action in urban transit.
