Woman Tragically Dies in Lift Mishap at Meerut Hospital

In a heart-wrenching incident in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, a 28-year-old woman named Akanksha lost her life after being trapped in a malfunctioning lift at Capital Hospital in Shastri Nagar. The tragedy unfolded shortly after she delivered her baby and was being transported to another floor. The lift’s belt reportedly snapped, causing the elevator to malfunction and leaving Akanksha and two staff members trapped inside for nearly an hour. Despite frantic rescue efforts, Akanksha could not be saved. Her body was retrieved and taken to another hospital, where doctors pronounced her dead.
The delay in her rescue ignited outrage among her grieving family and the local community. Furious relatives vandalized hospital property in protest, and 13 patients had to be evacuated and transferred to nearby healthcare facilities.

FIR and Investigations

An FIR has been lodged against the hospital owner, treating doctor Kavita, and other staff members under IPC Section 304, which pertains to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The Chief Medical Officer, Ashok Kataria, stated that the lift’s maintenance records are being scrutinized, and strict action will be taken if lapses are discovered.

Two hospital staff members trapped in the lift with Akanksha were rescued and sustained only minor injuries. No arrests have been made so far, but the police are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.

Safety Concerns at Medical Facilities

The tragic death of Akanksha underscores critical safety lapses in medical facilities, particularly concerning equipment maintenance. This incident has intensified demands for stricter enforcement of safety and maintenance protocols to prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for improved infrastructure and accountability in healthcare institutions.