Jaisalmer crash flags lapses in hospital after viral video

Jaisalmer: A road accident in Jaisalmer that killed an 18-year-old Kalbelia dancer and injured her two sisters has triggered outrage after a video from the govt hospital showed one of the injured women being carried in a man's arms, prompting criticism of the state's medical facilities.Police said the accident took place Thursday in the Kotwali police station area when a speeding Eco van hit three Kalbelia dancer sisters walking along the roadside near School Number 3. One of them, Raveena Sapera, 18, died on the spot after being trapped between the vehicle and a wall. Her sisters, Kalpana Sapera and Mamta Sapera, were injured and taken to Jawahir Hospital for treatment. The accident occurred when the van, driven by 65-year-old Togaram Khatri, lost control due to high speed on a speed breaker near School Number 3. Eyewitnesses reported that the van hit the three sisters with such force that Raveena was trapped between the vehicle and a wall, subsequently being dragged nearly 20 feet before the van crashed into a house wall. Raveena was pronounced dead at Jawahir Hospital shortly after locals managed to pull her from underneath the van. Her sisters, Kalpana and Mamta Sapera, sustained injuries in the incident and are currently receiving treatment at a govt hospital. The driver, Togaram Khatri, was also injured and remains hospitalised. The tragedy did not end with the accident. A video of a young man, Raish Khan, carrying an injured Kalpana Sapera in his arms to the hospital has gone viral, causing public outrage over the apparent lack of medical resources at the govt hospital. Critics were calling out Rajasthan's Health Minister, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, questioning the govt's commitment to healthcare given the poor state of services available. In response to the viral video and ensuing backlash, hospital officials defended their operations. Principal Medical Officer Dr Ravindra Sankhla labeled the allegations made in the video as "baseless," asserting that the hospital staff acted promptly and according to medical protocols. According to hospital representatives, one sister was declared dead before arrival, while the other two received necessary medical attention. Raish Khan, who carried Kalpana to the ward, contradicted the hospital's claims by stating that there were no stretchers, wheelchairs, or appropriate arrangements available. He described the chaotic scene following the accident, explaining that he had no choice but to carry Kalpana due to the lack of medical assistance.