In a deeply troubling incident highlighting the vulnerabilities of emergency medical services, a ‘108 ambulance’ carrying a critically ill patient was stranded for nearly an hour on the Konark-Kakatpur Road due to a tire puncture, leaving the patient’s family distraught and questioning accountability.
Jharana Das, a resident of Bamadeipur village under Astarang Police Station, was referred to Puri District Headquarters Hospital after initial treatment at Astarang Community Health Centre for suspected poisoning.
The ambulance transporting her broke down near Indira Bazaar, and with no replacement or backup vehicle available, the driver relied on help from a local shopkeeper to repair the tire.
