In a shocking incident in India, a 25-year-old man was moments away from being cremated when he startled mourners by showing signs of life. The bizarre sequence of events unfolded due to medical negligence, sparking outrage and an investigation.
Rohitash Kumar, who had hearing and speech impairments, was rushed to a hospital in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, on Thursday, November 21, after reportedly suffering an epileptic seizure. Upon arrival, a doctor declared him dead. However, instead of conducting the mandatory postmortem to confirm the cause of death, the hospital sent his body directly to the mortuary.
Chief Medical Officer D. Singh later revealed that the attending doctor had “prepared a postmortem report without actually performing the examination,” a clear violation of protocol.
The body was subsequently handed over to Kumar’s family for cremation in accordance with Hindu funeral rites, report said.
As relatives prepared to ignite the funeral pyre, they noticed something extraordinary—Kumar’s body began to move. He was alive and breathing. The ceremony came to an abrupt halt as Kumar was rushed back to the hospital for urgent medical care.
Tragically, Kumar’s revival was short-lived. He was pronounced dead the following day, November 22, during treatment.
The case has sparked a wave of anger in the community, with authorities suspending three doctors from their duties and initiating a police investigation into the mishandling of Kumar’s initial diagnosis and care.
This chilling episode highlights serious lapses in medical practices, leaving many questioning the safeguards in place to prevent such incidents from happening again.
There have been several similar incidents worldwide where people mistakenly declared dead were later found alive, often just moments before burial or cremation. Here are a few notable examples:
1. Man Wakes Up in Mortuary Fridge (South Africa, 2011)
A South African man was declared dead after an asthma attack and taken to a mortuary. Hours later, staff heard screams from the refrigerated storage. The man was found alive and later discharged after receiving medical care.
2. Premature Burial Halted (Brazil, 2018)
A 37-year-old woman in Brazil was declared dead and placed in a coffin for burial. During the funeral, family members noticed movement inside the casket. When the coffin was opened, the woman was still alive but unfortunately died later due to a lack of oxygen.
3. Baby Declared Dead Found Alive (India, 2017)
At a Delhi hospital, twin babies were declared dead shortly after birth and handed over to their parents in sealed bags. On the way to the cremation, one of the babies showed signs of life. The incident caused a public uproar and led to legal action against the hospital.
4. Elderly Woman Revives Before Burial (Russia, 2011)
An 81-year-old woman was declared dead after collapsing in her home. During her wake, she suddenly regained consciousness, sat up, and asked for water. Sadly, the shock caused a heart attack, and she passed away again shortly afterward.
5. Woman Buried Alive (Greece, 2014)
Authorities in northern Greece are investigating a harrowing incident in which a woman reportedly woke up inside her coffin after being buried, only to die before help could reach her.
The incident occurred at a cemetery near Thessaloniki, where visitors claimed they heard faint banging and muffled cries coming from a freshly filled grave about an hour after the woman’s funeral on Thursday. Alarmed, they alerted authorities, and the grave was quickly excavated.
Tragically, the 45-year-old woman was found unresponsive and declared dead once again. She had previously been pronounced dead by doctors treating her for cancer, leading to her burial earlier that day.
Why Do These Incidents Happen?
These incidents typically occur due to:
- Medical negligence: Incomplete or rushed examinations.
- Rare medical conditions: Conditions like catalepsy or hypothermia can mimic death by slowing bodily functions to imperceptible levels.
- Lack of resources: In some cases, hospitals lack advanced equipment to confirm death, relying solely on visual or manual checks.
Such stories underscore the critical importance of thorough medical assessments to avoid premature declarations of death.
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