Army medic saves 8-month-old baby aboard Rajdhani Express with swift CPR response

Guwahati: In a heart-stopping moment aboard the Dibrugrah-bound , a soldier’s quick thinking and medical training turned what could have been a tragedy into a story of hope and .

Defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said on Oct 13, around 4.30pm, an eight-month-old travelling in the train suddenly went into respiratory distress and became unresponsive. The child’s mother, overwhelmed with fear, fainted on the spot. Panic spread through the compartment as passengers scrambled for help.

“Among the passengers was Sepoy Sunil, an ambulance assistant with the 456 Field Hospital, who happened to be returning from leave. Without hesitation, he rushed to the scene, assessed the situation with remarkable composure, and found the infant had no pulse and was not breathing,” the PRO said.

Acting swiftly, Sepoy Sunil laid the baby on a flat surface and began paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), using two fingers to administer chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After just two cycles of CPR, the baby began to show signs of life — breathing again, to the immense relief of the family and fellow passengers.

“Not stopping there, Sunil coordinated with train staff and the Railway Police to ensure the child received further medical attention upon arrival at Rangiya station,” the PRO added.

His actions, carried out in a high-pressure environment with no immediate medical support, were nothing short of extraordinary. “Sepoy Sunil displayed exceptional medical proficiency, quick judgment, and an unwavering sense of duty,” said the PRO adding, “His calm and decisive response directly saved a precious life.” In a world often in need of everyday heroes, Sunil’s courage and skill stand as a powerful reminder of the lifesaving role armed forces.