Outrage as accident victim bleeds to death

Kerala police face criticism for failing to provide help to injured elderly man State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said a police control room vehicle had quickly reached the site, but Jnanaseelan could not be taken to hospital in that vehicle owing to

The case of an elderly man who was left bleeding on the road after being hit by a bus in the Kerala capital, and later died, has kicked up a controversy in the state.

The man, identified as Jnanaseelan from neighbouring Tamil Nadu state, was knocked down by the bus apparently when he was trying to cross the road. The bus ran over both his legs and despite the presence of dozens of people and the police, it took about half an hour for an ambulance to reach the spot and take him to a hospital.

Video emerges

He lay bleeding in the hot summer sun, and died two hours later at the Medical College Hospital.

The accident occurred around 10.30am on Sunday. Criticism was directed at the police after a video emerged that showed a policeman standing right bleeding man.

There was widespread condemnation of the “inaction” on the part of the police in providing help to the injured man.

Police said the officers on duty had informed the control room and also sought an ambulance, but the vehicle arrived late.

Yesterday, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala denied there was any failing on the

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the part of the police. The minister said a police control room vehicle had quickly reached the site, but Jnanaseelan could not be taken to hospital in that vehicle owing to the grievous nature of his injuries.

In another accident, five members of a family from Kerala were killed in a road accident at Kurnool in Telengana state yesterday morning.

The deceased were identified as P.D. Robin, 36, his wife Bismol, 30, their four-month-old son, and Robin’s parents Devasia, 60 and Thresia, 54. The driver, Pawan, from Telengana was also killed in the incident.

The family was reportedly returning from Kottayam, Bismol’s native place, where their infant son’s baptism ceremony had been held.