Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh: An eight-month-old baby died inside a government ambulance while being shifted from Hardoi Medical College to Lucknow for advanced treatment, with the child’s family alleging that negligence by the ambulance staff led to the tragic death. Police have launched an investigation and ordered a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The incident took place in Hardoi district’s Mubarakpur village under the Nayagaon area. According to the family, the infant, identified as Arvind, had been suffering from diarrhoea and fever for the past two to three days. His condition worsened on Wednesday evening, prompting his parents to admit him to the Government Medical College in Hardoi at around 7.30 pm.
Doctors treated the child, but after his condition reportedly deteriorated further, they referred him to a higher medical centre in Lucknow at around 1 am. A government ambulance was arranged to transport the infant.
The family alleges that while the child was being shifted, an ambulance staff member placed an oxygen mask on the baby’s face and suddenly increased the oxygen flow from the cylinder without consulting a doctor. Within minutes, they claimed, the baby’s abdomen and body began to swell, and he started struggling to breathe.
Despite desperate attempts by family members to alert the ambulance staff, the child allegedly lost consciousness and died before reaching Lucknow. His relatives accused the ambulance personnel of gross negligence and demanded strict action against those responsible.
Following the incident, the ambulance was stopped and police were informed. Officers reached the spot, took custody of the body and sent it for a post-mortem examination. Authorities said the autopsy report would help determine the precise cause of death.
Police have begun recording statements from the child’s parents, ambulance staff and medical personnel involved in the referral process. Officials said the allegations regarding the handling of oxygen support would be examined as part of the investigation.
Health department officials have also initiated an internal inquiry into the incident. Investigators are expected to review the ambulance’s medical equipment, oxygen delivery system and treatment records to establish whether any protocol was violated during the transfer.
The death has sparked outrage among local residents, with family members demanding accountability and stricter monitoring of emergency ambulance services. Officials have assured that appropriate action will be taken if negligence is established through the ongoing investigation.
