New Delhi: A woman reportedly died of post-COVID-19 complications in Kanpur on her way to the hospital while her vehicle was caught in traffic on Friday, June 25, because of diversions put up across the city for President Ram Nath Kovind’s convoy.
The victim, 50-year-old Vandana Mishra, was the chairperson of the women’s wing of the local chapter of the Indian Industries Association, Indian Express has reported.
The Kanpur Nagar Police Commissionerate has tweeted on the matter, seeking “forgiveness” and noting that this will be a “big lesson” for it.
आईआईए की अध्यक्षा बहन वन्दना मिश्रा जी के निधन के लिए कानपुर नगर पुलिस और व्यक्तिगत रूप से मैं क्षमा प्रार्थी हूं। भविष्य के लिए यह बड़ा सबक है। हम प्रण करते हैं कि हमारी रूट व्यवस्था ऐसी होगी कि न्यूनतम समय के लिए नागरिकों को रोका जाए ताकि ऐसी घटनाओं की पुनरावृति न हो।
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR (@kanpurnagarpol) June 26, 2021
In another tweet, the Commissionerate wrote that the President was pained by the demise and that two officials had attended Mishra’s funeral.
महामहिम राष्ट्रपति जी बहन वन्दना मिश्रा जी के असामयिक व निधन से व्यथित हुए। उन्होंने पुलिस आयुक्त और जिलाधिकारी को बुलाकर जानकारी ली व शोक संतप्त परिवार तक उनका संदेश पहुंचाने को कहा। दोनों अधिकारियों ने अंत्येष्टि में शामिल होकर शोकाकुल परिवार तक महामहिम का संदेश पहुंचाया। pic.twitter.com/nIYKQZNj4e
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR (@kanpurnagarpol) June 26, 2021
Indian Express has reported that Mishra was en route a private hospital when she was caught between and Lal intersection and Govindpuri flyover.
On the same day, Mishra had gone to the hospital to get tests done. Within hours of returning, however, she began feeling uneasy and left for the hospital. In the car, a family member who is a doctor attempted to give her CPR.
Deccan Herald has quoted unnamed sources as having said that Mishra remained stuck in her car for around an hour. “The delay allegedly proved fatal; by the time she reached the hospital, she had already passed away,” the report said.
The Kanpur Nagar Commissionerate has further tweeted that security should not mean difficulties for people, especially in situations of medical emergencies.
सुरक्षा के लिए नागरिकों को दिक्कत न हो, मेडिकल आपात स्थिति में तो बिल्कुल भी नहीं। व्यवस्था सुधारने के लिए कदम उठाए जा रहे हैं ताकि ऐसी पुनरावृत्ति न हो। निर्देश से अधिक समय तक ट्रैफिक रोकने पर SI सुशील कुमार व 3 मुख्य आरक्षियों को निलंबित किया गया है, जांच Ad. DCP SOUTH करेंगे।
— POLICE COMMISSIONERATE KANPUR NAGAR (@kanpurnagarpol) June 26, 2021
The Commissionerate said a sub-inspector, Sushil Kumar, and three others have been suspended. An investigation is also underway by the Additional DCP South.
President Ram Nath Kovind arrived in Kanpur on Friday evening on his special presidential train. Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Adityanath were also in Kanpur to welcome him – a fact which might have contributed to the traffic situation.
As part of his three-day tour, Kovind will visit his birthplace, Paraunkh village in Kanpur Dehat district, on Sunday.