Kerala man goes to govt hospital for check-up, remains stuck in elevator for two days

In a horrifying turn of events, a man from India’s southern state of Kerala, who went for a check-up, got stuck in a lift of the hospital. The incident took place at the Government Medical College Hospital in the capital city of Kerala, where the 59-year-old was stuck in a lift for two days.

Officials responsible for the lift’s operation were unaware of the situation till Monday morning, prompting the authorities to initiate disciplinary action against them for their alleged lapses.

The patient, Ravindra Nair, a Ulloor (a city in Thiruvananthapuram) resident, came to the hospital for a medical check-upbut got stuck in the lift of the OPD Block of the government medical college on Saturday.He was rescued two days later when an operator arrived for routine work, police said.

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Upon his rescue, he was rushed to the hospital for a medical examination.

"He (Nair) got into the lift to go to the first floor but claims that the lift came down and did not open. He says he shouted for help, but no one came. His phone was also switched off," police said.

State Health Minister Veena George has ordered a probe into the incident and sought a report in this regard.

The state health department has suspended three staff members - two operators and a duty sergeant, in connection with the incident.

The man’s family had even filed a missing case with the medical college police on Sunday night.

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Speaking to the media, Nair said the lift got stuck, and he kept pressing the alarm, but no one came to the rescue.

"I tried calling all the emergency numbers listed inside the lift, but no one answered. The alarm was also sounded, but no one came. After some time, I understood that it was the second Saturday and a Sunday the next day, and then I waited for help."

"Later, after some time, I lost track of time inside the lift. This morning, an operator came, and I pressed the alarm. We both forcefully opened the door from both sides, and I jumped out," Nair said.

Nair's son, Hari Shankar, said his father was terrified, as he had been inside the lift for almost two days.

As his phone was not reachable, family members approached the medical college police station on Sunday evening and lodged a complaint.

(With inputs from agencies)