Delhi Accident Tragedy Highlights Bystander Apathy, Family's Noble Gesture
In a heartbreaking incident that underscores a disturbing urban reality, the family of five-year-old Preshell Prince, who tragically lost her life in a hit-and-run accident in west Delhi's Janakpuri, has revealed that no passerby came forward to help in the critical early minutes after the crash. Despite their profound grief, the family has made the compassionate decision to donate Preshell's eyes, allowing her legacy to live on.
The Fateful Morning and Initial Indifference
According to police reports, on February 17 at approximately 7:40 AM, Preshell was traveling to school with her maternal grandmother, Mercy Xavier (57), in an e-rickshaw near the Janakpuri fire station. A car suddenly rammed into their vehicle, causing it to overturn. The car driver, later identified as Sanjeev, a lab assistant, fled the scene but was subsequently apprehended by authorities.
Preshell's mother, nurse Soumya Xavier, recounted to media that four to five people crossed the accident spot but did not stop to assist. Gracy Sunny, Preshell's paternal grandmother who rushed from Kerala upon hearing the news, emphasized that crucial 10 to 15 minutes were lost as the child lay bleeding on the road. "When the e-rickshaw overturned, Preshell's head hit a large stone. She was blood-soaked, and even when Mercy requested a car driver for help, he refused," Sunny stated, adding, "This is a major problem in Delhi. No one comes forward to help during accidents. This must change."
A Ray of Humanity Amidst the Tragedy
While the incident highlighted alarming indifference, it also revealed moments of humanity. Soumya shared that a colleague from her hospital, returning home, noticed the accident from a distance and saw her mother pleading for help. This individual immediately intervened, placing Preshell on her scooter with a boy sitting pillion, and rushed her to the hospital. Mercy followed in another vehicle.
Despite these efforts, Preshell succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. The family, however, channeled their sorrow into a selfless act. "I told my son we should go ahead with it," Sunny said regarding the eye donation. Soumya expressed, "She was too young to leave us," but found solace in the thought that through donation, Preshell could continue to see the world through someone else.
Remembering Preshell and Family Background
Preshell had recently participated in her school's annual day event, and the photograph released by the family for condolences was from her performance. She lived in Janakpuri with her parents and older sister. Soumya had previously worked as a nurse in Iraq, returning to India two years ago to join a private hospital in Dwarka. Her husband, Prince P John, also worked in hospital chain management in Iraq and returned a few months prior. The family had moved from Tughlaqabad to Janakpuri to be closer to Soumya's workplace.
This tragic event not only mourns the loss of a young life but also sparks a crucial conversation about civic responsibility and compassion in urban settings, juxtaposed with an inspiring act of organ donation that brings hope amidst despair.
