Shocking Negligence in Palghar: Ambulance Abandons Body, Relatives Forced to Carry Deceased
In a distressing incident highlighting severe healthcare service failures, a private ambulance in Maharashtra's Palghar district abandoned a deceased patient's body midway, compelling his grieving relatives to transport the corpse home using a makeshift cloth stretcher. Officials confirmed the appalling event on Friday, sparking outrage and raising serious questions about accountability in medical transport services.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The victim, identified as Shailesh Magan Wagadada, was suffering from acute respiratory distress and internal bleeding. He was admitted to Vedanta Medical College Hospital on February 3 but tragically passed away later that same evening. Following his death, a hospital ambulance was arranged to transport his body back to his family home in Ambepada, a hamlet within Palghar district.
However, the journey took a horrifying turn when the ambulance driver, upon reaching Chambharshet on Tilonda Road, allegedly refused to proceed further. The driver cited the poor condition of the non-tarred road leading to Ambepada as the reason for stopping. Left with no alternative, the relatives accompanying the body were forced to place it in a 'jholi'—a makeshift cloth stretcher—and trek the remaining distance to their home, carrying their loved one's remains.
Official Clarification and Road Conditions
Contrary to the driver's claims, the Palghar Zilla Parishad issued an official release stating that the 1.8-kilometer road from the Tilonda main road to Ambepada is fully motorable. The road was completed during the 2024-25 period and regularly accommodates vehicles such as Jeeps and pick-up vans. This revelation underscores the driver's apparent negligence or misinformation.
Ravindra Shinde, Additional CEO of the Palghar Zilla Parishad, commented, "The driver may have been misled by someone claiming the vehicle could not enter the village." He further noted that proposals for asphalting the road have been put forward to enhance its condition, but emphasized that it remains accessible for standard vehicular traffic.
Broader Implications and Public Outcry
This incident has ignited widespread condemnation and calls for stricter regulations and oversight of private ambulance services in the region. The emotional and physical burden placed on the bereaved family, who had to resort to carrying their deceased relative home, highlights a grave lapse in basic human dignity and professional ethics.
Key points from the incident include:
- The ambulance driver's refusal to complete the journey despite a motorable road.
- The family's traumatic experience of transporting the body in a cloth stretcher.
- Official confirmation that the road conditions did not justify the abandonment.
- Ongoing proposals for road improvements, though current access is feasible.
As investigations continue, this case serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for reliable and compassionate healthcare logistics, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. The Palghar Zilla Parishad's statement aims to clarify the facts and prevent such deplorable incidents from recurring, urging better training and accountability among service providers.
