What was supposed to be a final trip home turned into a “miracle” for a family in Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly, as a woman who was declared brain dead showed signs of life as she was brought back from hospital. Her family says the moment happened when the car she was traveling in hit a pothole.
The woman, identified as Vinita Shukla, lost consciousness on February 22 after complaining of high blood pressure, according to a report by news agency PTI. Her husband, Kuldeep Shukla, said she fainted about 15 minutes after taking the medicine at home. She was first taken to a government hospital in Pilibhit and later referred to Bareilly for further treatment.
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The family is ready for the last rites
According to the doctors involved in her treatment, Vinita was admitted to a hospital in Bareilly where she remained under care for two days. However, when her condition did not improve, the family was told there was little hope.
Dr Rakesh Singh, who treated her later, said the woman was discharged from the hospital and returned home. By then, preparations had already begun for her cremation.
Her husband said the miracle happened the next day while she was returning home. Near Hafizganj, the car reportedly hit a pothole or bump in the road.
Kuldeep Shukla claimed that immediately after the collision, Vinita started breathing again.
“When she was brought home on the 24th, the car hit a pothole in the road near Hafizganj, and she started wheezing. We took her to Dr Rakesh Singh. It has been 10 days and she is fine,” Shukla told news agency ANI.
Doctors suspect there may be snake bite venom
Doctors said that Vinita was placed under intensive care and treated with anti-snake venom after her relatives noticed slight movement in her body.
Explaining the medical reasoning, Dr Singh said that some neurotoxins released during snake bites can cause a person to “suddenly lose consciousness and movement in the arms and legs”. In such cases, the pupil may remain dilated, making the condition appear very critical.
After starting anti-snake venom treatment, doctors said some movement was observed within 24 hours. Over the next week, Venita gradually regained consciousness. The breathing tube was eventually removed, and she is now able to walk on her own.
Venita herself said she remembers taking medication for high blood pressure and then fainting. After that moment, she has no memory of the events that followed and only knows what her family told her later. “Now I feel good,” she added.
Meanwhile, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has denied allegations of a pothole on the road where the accident occurred. The Bareilly-Sitarganj stretch is currently under construction, but the existing sections remain fit for traffic and are regularly maintained as per set standards, the authority said.
(With inputs from Annie)
