Ambulance Crew Brutally Attacked with Bricks Outside Kolkata Private Hospital
In a shocking incident of violence, Kolkata police have registered a case after an ambulance worker and driver were assaulted with bricks outside the gates of a private hospital on Bypass, leaving one of them with serious fractures and head injuries. The assault occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, January 27, around 12:50 am, highlighting a disturbing escalation in conflicts involving emergency medical services.
Late-Night Patient Transport Turns Violent
According to the complaint filed by Tanmoy Shikari of Kalikapur, the incident began with a late-night booking for patient transport from the private hospital to Sagar Dutta Medical College & Hospital. An ambulance was dispatched, but after receiving the patient, the vehicle experienced a mechanical breakdown, necessitating the dispatch of a second ambulance to complete the transfer.
Shikari alleged that a dispute erupted at the pick-up point when the patient's party expressed dissatisfaction with the size of the second ambulance, claiming it was not large enough to accommodate five people. This disagreement quickly escalated into a physical altercation, with a woman reportedly slapping one of the drivers, followed by a man launching a brutal attack using bricks as weapons.
Severe Injuries and Police Action
The assault resulted in significant injuries to the ambulance driver, including wounds to his forehead, back, and pelvic region, with reports confirming fractures from the impact. Police have recorded the case under BNS sections 118(2) and 54, which pertain to assault and causing grievous hurt, underscoring the seriousness of the offense.
This incident raises critical concerns about the safety of ambulance crews and healthcare workers in Kolkata, who often operate in high-stress environments. Authorities are investigating the matter further to ensure justice and prevent such violent outbreaks in the future.
