Delay in helicopter service: Lakshadweep native dies, friend in critical condition

KOCHI: A young man who was injured in a bike accident at Chetlat in Lakshadweep has died due to a delay in treatment. The deceased was identified as Abdul Khader, 25, of Chetlat. His friend Ibrahim (23) is undergoing treatment in the ICU of Ernakulam Medical Trust Hospital in critical condition.

The bike they were travelling on overturned at 10.30 pm on Wednesday after hitting a goat. Both were rushed to the Chetlat Government Hospital but were directed to Kochi for specialist treatment. Helicopters were requested from the hospital but arrived around 9am on Thursday. It takes an hour and a half to reach Kochi directly from Chetlat, but the journey was delayed as the copter went to Kavaratti to refuel.

Abdul Khader died on arrival at Kavaratti. The helicopter reached Nedumbassery with Ibrahim at 4.30 pm after taking time to hand over the body.

Ibrahim is undergoing treatment for a head injury. He has not regained consciousness. There are 10 stitches on the head. Doctors said that he had only four stitches when he arrived from Lakshadweep, which had been removed, cleaned and treated again.