Bharatpur road accident: Man dies returning with newborn's body after ambulance driver dozed off
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A 29-year-old man from Bharatpur, Rajasthan, died in a road accident on Tuesday, 30 June while returning home in an ambulance carrying the body of his 15-day-old son, who had died just hours earlier. The crash, which occurred at around 5 a.m. near Ludhavai village under the jurisdiction of Sewar Police Station, has left a family shattered by two deaths within a single night.
What Happened
The deceased has been identified as Hetram, 29, a resident of the B-Narayan Gate area of Bharatpur city. His wife Khushbu had delivered a baby boy at Zanana Hospital 15 days prior. Because the child was born prematurely, he was referred to a hospital in Jaipur for specialised care. The newborn died at approximately 11 p.m. on Monday while undergoing treatment.
Hetram, along with Khushbu, his father Jagdish, and his aunt Guddi, boarded an ambulance to return to Bharatpur with the infant's body. According to family members, the ambulance driver had been dozing off repeatedly during the journey, and Hetram reportedly warned him several times to drive carefully.
The Crash and Its Impact
Near Ludhavai village, the driver allegedly fell into a deep sleep, causing the ambulance to collide with a vehicle travelling ahead. The front portion of the ambulance was completely destroyed in the impact. Hetram, who was seated in the front, sustained critical injuries and was declared dead after being taken to RBM Hospital.
The ambulance driver suffered serious injuries and has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Khushbu, Jagdish, and Guddi — seated in the rear — also sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment.
What Police Said
ASI Fateh Lal of Sewar Police Station confirmed the accident occurred at around 5 a.m. near Ludhavai village. According to police, the ambulance driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to lose control and ram into the vehicle ahead. After completing the post-mortem examination, police handed over Hetram's body to his family. Further investigation into the accident is underway.
A Pattern of Ambulance Safety Failures
The incident draws renewed attention to ambulance driver fatigue, a recurring concern on India's highways. Long-distance transfers — particularly overnight journeys from smaller cities to referral hospitals in state capitals — often involve drivers operating without adequate rest. This is not the first time a drowsy ambulance driver has been linked to a fatal crash in Rajasthan, critics argue, pointing to the need for mandatory rest protocols and co-driver requirements on extended medical transport routes.
What Comes Next
Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances of the crash, including whether the ambulance operator violated any transport or medical safety norms. The family, already bereaved by the loss of their newborn, now faces the added anguish of Hetram's death. The surviving family members remain under medical care.