Tragic Lift Malfunction at Kolkata Hospital Claims Life of 40-Year-Old Father
A devastating incident unfolded at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata early Friday morning, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old man who became trapped in a malfunctioning patient lift. The victim, identified as Arup Banerjee from Dum Dum, was celebrating his birthday just hours before the tragedy occurred.
Family Trapped for an Hour in Malfunctioning Lift
The Banerjee family had brought their three-year-old son Ayush to the hospital late Thursday night after the child sustained a fracture while playing at their Kalindi home. While waiting on the trauma centre's first floor for orthopedic surgery, the child needed to use a washroom. Since no patient facilities were available on that floor, Arup, his wife Sonali, and their son entered the lift to reach a pay-and-use toilet near the main gate.
CCTV footage from approximately 4:45 AM shows the family entering the lift, with Arup pressing a button before the doors closed. What followed was a terrifying ordeal that lasted nearly an hour, with the lift reportedly moving up and down multiple times without stopping at any floor.
Desperate Attempts to Escape Prove Fatal
According to police sources, Arup Banerjee was found wedged between the lift doors, which he had been trying to pry open in a desperate attempt to escape. While his wife and son suffered only minor bruises, Arup sustained catastrophic injuries as he became crushed between the doors.
"According to autopsy surgeons, death was due to poly trauma, which included compression of the chest wall, rupture of the heart, lungs and liver," said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime & Traffic) Rupesh Kumar. "Besides, there were fractures in the legs, hands and ribs. All injuries were ante-mortem in nature."
Delayed Rescue and Allegations of Negligence
The lift eventually stopped in the basement radiotherapy unit, a restricted area accessible only through a padlocked collapsible gate. Hospital personnel managed to extract the trapped family around 5:12 AM, but by then Arup had sustained fatal injuries.
Family members present at the hospital reported hearing Arup's screams for help and immediately alerted security, but no assistance arrived in time to prevent the tragedy. Arup's sister Pinki claimed the lift had been malfunctioning, moving erratically without stopping at designated floors.
The victim's father, Amal Banerjee, who had been at the hospital throughout the night, blamed negligence for his son's death. "If help had arrived immediately, my son would have been alive," he stated emotionally.
Police Investigation and Arrests
Kolkata Police have registered an FIR at Tala Police Station under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and Section 3(5) (common intention) based on a written complaint from the victim's father. "The case was recorded on the basis of a written complaint from the victim's father," confirmed Joint CP Rupesh Kumar.
Authorities have arrested two security guards and three lift operators who were on duty at the trauma care building where the accident occurred. Police sources indicate that CCTV footage will undergo forensic examination, and investigators are seeking any additional video evidence from the scene.
Multiple Investigations Underway
The investigation has expanded to include technical experts who will examine the lift manufacturer's specifications and maintenance records. A forensic team will conduct a thorough examination of the accident site to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
Trinamool MLA Atin Ghosh, a member of the hospital's Rogi Kalyan Samity, visited the hospital and criticized the administration for negligence in maintaining critical hospital infrastructure. The incident has raised serious questions about patient safety protocols and equipment maintenance standards at public healthcare facilities.
RG Kar Medical Superintendent Vice President Saptarshi Chatterjee confirmed that while Arup Banerjee was rushed for treatment immediately after extraction, his injuries proved fatal. His wife and son were found safe but traumatized by the horrific experience.
