Bhubaneswar: An 11-year-old girl from Narla area in Kalahandi district was declared dead on arrival at the district headquarters hospital (DHH) in Bhawanipatna on Thursday after a punctured tyre delayed a 108 ambulance transporting her. Two 108 ambulance personnel were suspended following the incident, and an inquiry initiated.Riya Nayak was referred from Narla community health centre (CHC) to the Kalahandi DHH under inter-facility transfer service.According to officials, a call for an ambulance was received at 9.32 am. An ambulance at Rupra Primary Health Centre was assigned at 9.37 am and reached the Narla CHC at 10.01 am after travelling 18km. The ambulance then left for Kalahandi DHH with the patient.Officials said the child’s pulse was very low. While the vehicle was on its way to the DHH, its rear tyre got punctured near Chatikuda. The ambulance crew informed the central dispatch centre and replaced the damaged tyre. However, the spare tyre also reportedly developed a puncture due to low air pressure. The crew then alerted the call centre at 10.31 am and sought another ambulance. A second ambulance was dispatched from Kalahandi DHH at 10.36 am and reached the spot at 11.11 am after covering 24 km. The patient was shifted to the replacement ambulance and taken to the district hospital, where doctors declared her dead.The girl’s family alleged that she died due to the delay, pointing to lapses in ambulance maintenance and emergency response system.Following the incident, authorities suspended the district emergency management executive and on-duty ambulance crew, pending a detailed inquiry. Officials said the suspension would remain in force until the investigation is completed and responsibility is fixed.
