Kochi: The cops on Tuesday booked conductor of a private bus with negligence charge after a commuter who fell unconscious during a ride in the bus plying in Fort Kochi-Aluva route died after being allegedly denied timely medical help by the crew fearing trip cancellation. "A case under IPC section 304 (A) (causing death by negligence) was taken against conductor Bijoy Antony (36), a resident of Tukilath House, Keezmadu, Aluva. This is after our initial probe found he had failed to ensure timely medical help to the unconscious man," said Prajeesh Sasi, Elamakkara SI.
The incident happened on Saturday last when 40-year old T.K. Lakshmanan, a native of Sulthan Bathery and an employee of a hotel here, fell unconscious soon after he boarded the bus from MG Road near Maharajas College Ground stop while travelling to Palarivattom. However, the bus continued to proceed from Shenoys Junction despite request of a co-passenger to rush the patient to the nearest hospital.
"As per the statement of a co-passenger, the bus crew didn't heed to his request and continued the trip upto Edapally. Finally when the commuters began to make a hue and cry, the crew asked the co-passenger to take the affected to the hospital and dropped them at Edapally, nearly eight kms away. The complainant with the help of traffic warden at Edapally rushed him to a hospital there. However, he died later," police said.
The hospital authorities too gave a statement to police that the victim could have been saved had he been administered treatment in the nick of time. However, nearly 45 minutes had passed when he was finally admitted to a hospital. "We'll also seize the bus in consultation with the MVD which cancelled the conductor's license for six months. The driver said he came to know about the passenger falling unconscious after much time. However, further probe is on," he said.
