A pothole on the Bareilly–Haridwar highway turned into an unexpected moment of hope for a 50-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh who had earlier been declared brain-dead by doctors. Vineeta Shukla had been discharged from a hospital in Bareilly with almost no chance of survival. Her husband, Kuldeep Kumar Shukla, was taking her back home in an ambulance on February 24 when something unusual happened.
According to her family, Vineeta had shown no signs of life and preparations for her last rites had already begun.
While the ambulance was travelling on the pothole-ridden stretch of NH‑74 Bareilly–Haridwar Highway, it hit a deep pothole near Hafizganj. Kuldeep recalled the moment while speaking to the media.
"I told my family to prepare for her last rites. She was not breathing, there was only a sinking heartbeat.
As the ambulance reached Hafizganj, it struck a large pothole and the vehicle moved violently," her husband told TOI on Tuesday. "My wife started breathing normally again... I immediately informed my family to suspend all the funeral preparations," he said.
After noticing signs of life, Kuldeep immediately took her to Neurocity Hospital in Pilibhit for emergency treatment. There, doctors began intensive care and monitored her condition closely. Kuldeep later said his wife had made a remarkable recovery. “she is now not just awake, but talking to us...”
Dr Rakesh Singh said the medical team first reviewed the diagnosis and reports from the hospital in Bareilly before starting treatment.
Based on earlier medical records, Vineeta’s brainstem reflexes were absent and her condition had been extremely critical.
“The examination of her eyes showed mydriasis (dilation of pupils), indicating the death of her brain and constantly sinking signs of life in her. During a series of quick medical tests, heavy neurotoxins were detected in her bloodstream and lymphatic system. The diagnosis and consequent treatment helped remarkably in her recovery,” the neurosurgeon said.
Doctors also noted that her Glasgow Coma Scale had dropped to three, far below the normal level of 15, indicating a state of deep unconsciousness.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
