E-Rickshaw Driver Stuns Mathura Hospital by Arriving with Live Snake in Jacket
An e-rickshaw driver in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, created a dramatic scene at the district hospital after a snakebite. Deepak, the driver, arrived seeking urgent medical help but carried an unexpected companion—the live snake that had bitten him, concealed inside his jacket pocket.
Protest Over Delayed Treatment Escalates
Deepak claimed he waited nearly thirty minutes without receiving attention from hospital staff. Frustrated by the delay, he staged a protest on the road outside the facility. He parked his e-rickshaw to block traffic, briefly disrupting movement in the area as tensions mounted.
"I came half an hour ago to the hospital, they refused treatment," Deepak stated in a video that quickly spread online. "If a government hospital has no facility, where else will people go?" His words highlighted growing concerns about public healthcare accessibility in the region.
Shocking Moment: Snake Revealed from Jacket
The situation took a startling turn when someone asked Deepak about the snake's whereabouts. Calmly unzipping his jacket, he revealed the reptile, causing visible shock among onlookers. Hospital staff immediately urged him to release the snake outside, warning it posed serious risks to patients and personnel.
Deepak defended his unusual action, explaining he brought the snake to show doctors exactly what bit him. He believed this would aid in proper treatment. However, medical officials insisted treatment could only begin after the snake was removed for safety reasons.
Police Intervention and Resolution
Local police were called to manage the escalating scenario. Officers and hospital authorities repeatedly emphasized the dangers of keeping a live snake in a public space. After persistent persuasion, Deepak finally agreed to release the reptile away from the hospital premises.
Only after the snake was safely removed did doctors commence Deepak's treatment. Hospital officials later clarified the delay stemmed solely from safety concerns, not negligence. A district hospital doctor noted Deepak initially arrived with the snake around his neck, complicating the situation further.
Social Media Erupts with Mixed Reactions
Videos of the incident went viral, sparking widespread debate on social media. Users expressed varied opinions:
- One commenter wrote, "This is scary and shocking at the same time. Basic medical help should never be delayed, especially in life-threatening cases like this."
- Another remarked, "There is an atmosphere of fear in snake's society," referencing broader anxieties.
- A third user criticized, "These dehatis indulge in this kind of nonsense activities, then record and post it online and bring hatred and embarrassment to the entire country."
The episode underscores ongoing challenges in rural healthcare and the extreme measures individuals might take when feeling neglected by medical systems. Fortunately, no serious harm was reported from the snakebite or the subsequent confrontation.
