Kanpur: An 18-year-old cross-country race participant suffered serious burns after allegedly coming in contact with an electrified iron grill during a prize distribution ceremony at the Late Brahm Dutt Dwivedi Stadium on Saturday. The incident triggered protests among students after they allegedly found that emergency medical assistance was not available at the venue.According to eyewitnesses, students were climbing onto the stage to receive prizes when an electric wire that had come in contact with an iron grill allegedly injured several of them, causing some to collapse.The injured, Ayush Pal, sustained severe burn injuries and reportedly got stuck to the grill. He began writhing in pain before one of his friends removed the live wire.Students rushed Ayush to the National Mobile Medical Unit ambulance stationed at the venue, but found the driver missing. They also alleged that a 108 ambulance, which was supposed to be deployed for emergency duty, was not present at the spot.Angered over the absence of emergency medical assistance, some students hurled stones at the ambulance, damaging its windows.On receiving information, Fatehgarh Kotwali police reached the spot and pacified the agitating students.Ayush was later taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Farrukhabad, where, after receiving primary treatment, he was referred to Government Medical College, Tirwa, in Kannauj.
