A youth who was being shifted from the Taluk Tribal Specialty Hospital in Attappadi to the Medical College Hospital in Thrissur died after the ambulance carrying him was stuck at a traffic barricade in the Ghat section for more than an hour, police said on Friday.
The deceased has been identified as Sajeev Kumar (25), a resident of Vallamari Oru in Attappadi.
According to police, Kumar, who belongs to a tribal community, was admitted to Attappady Tribal Taluk Specialist Hospital due to high fever.
On Thursday evening, he developed breathing difficulties and the hospital authorities decided to shift him to Thrissur Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment.
While he was being taken to the hospital in an ambulance, traffic came to a standstill after a tree fell across the road in the ghat section of Attappadi.
The police said that the ambulance remained stuck at the traffic barrier for more than an hour before the authorities opened the road.
However, by the time he reached Thrissur Hospital, Kumar’s condition had worsened and he died, officials said.
The police have opened an investigation into the incident, and a case is likely to be registered soon.
Officials added that further action will be initiated after discussions with the family and doctors.
