BENGALURU: A 34-year-old mechanic died in the early hours of Saturday after falling from a scooter while being rushed to hospital following a heart attack. His wife has alleged that lack of timely medical care and the indifference of passing motorists contributed to his death.The deceased, Venkataraman, a resident of Balaji Nagar in Ittamadu, Banashankari III Stage, began experiencing severe chest pain around 3:30 am while asleep at home. Alarmed, his wife Roopa K immediately took him on their scooter to a nearby private hospital in Kathriguppe.
However, according to Roopa, they were told that no doctor was available and were advised to go to another private hospital close by. There, an ECG was conducted, which confirmed that Venkataraman suffered a heart attack.
The doctors reportedly advised Roopa to take him to Jayadeva Hospital for specialised treatment.Roopa alleged that the hospital neither provided emergency treatment nor arranged an ambulance. With no immediate alternative and fearing for her husband’s life, the couple decided to head back home briefly and attempt to reach Jayadeva Hospital on their scooter.Tragedy struck around 4:21 am, barely 100–200 metres from their house, when Venkataraman experienced severe chest pain again.
The couple lost balance, and he fell onto the road. Despite sustaining injuries herself, Roopa got up and rushed to her husband, realising that his condition was critical.In a bid to save him, she waved down passing two-wheelers and cars, pleading for help. “I begged people to stop and help me take my husband to the hospital,” she told media persons. “But most of them just went past without stopping.”Venkataraman lay on the road struggling to breathe. After a few minutes, a pedestrian stopped and stayed with them while Roopa continued seeking help.
Soon, Venkataraman’s sister arrived at the spot along with another person and also tried to stop vehicles, but with little success.Nearly seven minutes later, a car driver finally stopped. By then, Venkataraman lost consciousness. His sister immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for a couple of minutes before they rushed him to a nearby hospital. Doctors there declared him brought dead.
Her nightmare experience after falling from the scooter is captured in a CCTV camera installed at a building at the spot.Despite her immense loss, Roopa took a humane decision to donate her husband’s eyes. “If someone helped us immediately, my husband might have survived,” she said, breaking down. “He wanted to live. That is why he tried to ride to the hospital despite his pain,” Roopa told media.Roopa has demanded action against the private hospital that, she alleges, failed to treat her husband or arrange an ambulance.
She further claimed that the hospital staff may have neglected her husband because of their financial condition.Expressing anguish over the public’s response, Roopa said the incident highlighted a growing lack of compassion. “It was shocking how inhumane people were at that moment. Helping someone in distress can save a life. I request everyone please stop and help. No one should go through what we did,” she said.
Curated by Dr. Elena Rodriguez
