Driver's mad dash on MG Road keeps doctors on their toes

As the news of a drunk man in a car "going on the rampage" on MG Road on Tuesday night spread, the staff of the Sassoon General Hospital readied themselves for a crisis situation similar to the one on January 25, when an ST driver went on a crazed drive around the city that resulted in the death of nine people and left 30 injured.

Learning a lesson from last month's murderous road rage, the hospital officials have been keeping aside ward number two -- the same one where the injured in the road rampage were admitted -- for crisis situations.


Battle ready: Sassoon kept a ward and doctors ready to handle the
possible influx of patients after learning of the MG Road incident. File pic

Medical superintendent Dr D G Kulkarni said, "When we got the message of the accident, our staff rushed to make all necessary arrangements for treating the injured."

He added that the staff was on their toes Tuesday night as there was a fire in Juna Bazar as well on the same day. "The beds, two medical officers, anaesthetist and blood bags were ready. Fortunately, no casualty was recorded," said Dr Kulkarni.

The car case accused, Rishabh Talekar (21), who drove his vehicle in the wrong direction and knocked down oncoming vehicles, is also admitted with minor injuries in the hospital. "His blood sample has been sent to the forensic laboratory to check whether he was under the influence of alcohol. He has multiple abrasions on his face," said Dr Kulkarni.

The doctors attending to Talekar said he was admitted in a drunken state.

Resident doctors quoted Talekar as saying: "I had entered into the 'no entry' zone and dashed a vehicle. When people chased me, I got scared and tried to escape, and in the process I dashed a few other vehicles on the stretch."

No policemen were deployed outside the ward where Talekar was admitted.