Paradip, Sep 23: A tragic incident unfolded during the Vishwakarma Puja celebrations in Paradip as a young man lost his life while being transported in an ambulance that was stuck in traffic for over two and a half hours.

The deceased, Rakesh Das of Nehru Bungalow, was being shifted from Atharbanki Medical to Cuttack for advanced treatment when the ambulance was caught in a severe traffic jam.

Despite prior administrative meetings promising traffic management during the festival, the arrangements failed on the ground. On Sunday evening, heavy crowds and congestion along the National Highway and key junctions like Thana Chhak to Dochhaki led to complete traffic paralysis.

Rakesh Das, son of Maheswar Das, had been admitted to Atharbanki Medical in critical condition. After initial treatment, doctors advised immediate transfer to Cuttack. His family arranged an ambulance and departed around 5 pm, but the vehicle was trapped in gridlock caused by the festival rush.

During the delay, the oxygen supply in the ambulance depleted once and had to be replaced. Unfortunately, near Kandarpur, Rakesh succumbed to his condition. Upon reaching Cuttack Medical, doctors declared him dead.

The family has blamed the traffic mismanagement for the loss, stating that the delay in reaching the hospital directly contributed to the young man’s death.