child death - Dainik Jagran English

Rewa Bus-Auto Accident: Injured Girl Dies During Treatment

Abhishek Joshi — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 10:06:32 +0530

A day after a bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw from behind in Rewa district, a 10-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries during treatment. Fourteen others injured in the crash remain under medical care.

A 10-year-old girl who was critically injured in a road accident involving a passenger bus and an auto-rickshaw in Madhya Pradesh's Rewa district died during treatment on Monday, police said. The collision, which occurred on Sunday evening in the Loua area, left a total of 15 people injured.

According to officials, the accident took place around 4:30 pm when an auto-rickshaw carrying passengers was travelling through the area. A bus operated by Pooja Bus Service, reportedly en route from Baikunthpur to Rewa, allegedly struck the auto from behind, causing severe damage to the vehicle and injuring its occupants.

Fatal Injury Confirmed

The deceased has been identified as Deepali Sharma (also referred to as Deepanjali), a resident of Navagaon-Sagra village. She sustained serious head and body injuries in the crash and was admitted to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital in Rewa for treatment.

Hospital sources confirmed that despite medical efforts, the child succumbed to her injuries on Monday. Her death has cast a shadow of grief over the family and local community.

Crash in Loua Area

Initial reports indicate that the impact of the collision was severe. The auto-rickshaw was extensively damaged, trapping and injuring several passengers.

Local residents rushed to the spot after hearing cries for help and assisted in pulling the injured out of the wreckage. Witnesses described a chaotic scene immediately after the crash as bystanders worked to help victims before emergency services arrived.

ASP Led Rescue Efforts

A significant aspect of the response came from Additional Superintendent of Police (Rural) Sandeep Mishra, who was passing through the route when the accident occurred.

Upon noticing the damaged vehicle and injured passengers, Mishra reportedly stopped his vehicle and coordinated immediate rescue efforts. With assistance from local residents and police personnel, the injured were shifted to nearby medical facilities without delay.

Officials said the prompt intervention helped ensure faster medical attention for the victims.

Fourteen Under Treatment

The remaining 14 injured passengers are continuing to receive treatment. Those injured in the accident have been identified as Anant Avadhiya (8), Akshay Avadhiya (13), Aditya Dubey (10), Kusumkali Saket, Samar Avadhiya, Aashi Avadhiya, Chanda Avadhiya, Pradeep Kumar Verma, Mahavir Yadav, Ankita Dubey, Ankita Avadhiya, Lalita Dubey, Pragati Soni and Shivansh Rajak.

Authorities have not released detailed updates on the condition of all the injured, though several reportedly suffered significant injuries.

Probe Into Negligence

Police have initiated an investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident. Preliminary information suggests that the bus struck the auto from behind, raising questions about speed and driver negligence.

Officials are examining statements from witnesses, vehicle conditions and other evidence to determine responsibility. Further legal action will depend on the findings of the investigation.

Road Safety Concerns

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over road safety and compliance with traffic regulations on district routes in the region. Accidents involving passenger vehicles continue to pose risks, particularly on busy stretches connecting rural and urban areas.

Police said the investigation is underway and a detailed report will be prepared after all facts are verified.

Food Poisoning Suspected in Janjgir Child Death Case

Vaishnavi — Tue, 12 May 2026 13:57:33 +0530

A suspected food poisoning incident during a family wedding gathering in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district has led to the death of a 15-year-old boy, while three other children remain under medical observation at the district hospital. Health officials suspect that contaminated watermelon kept for several hours before consumption may have caused the infection, though a detailed investigation is still underway.

The incident was reported from Ghurkot village under the City Kotwali police station limits. According to doctors, all four children developed symptoms of severe food poisoning after eating watermelon during the afternoon and chicken later in the evening.

Children Attended Wedding

According to family members, the children had arrived in Ghurkot village with relatives to attend a wedding at their maternal uncle’s house. They had reportedly been staying there for the last three to four days. The affected children were identified as Akhilesh Dheewar (15) from Podi Dalha village, Shri Dheewar (4) from Avarid, Pintu Dheewar (12) from Khatola and Hitesh Dheewar (13) from Kotgarh.

Officials said the family had cut watermelon on Sunday morning and kept it for several hours before it was consumed in the afternoon by the children. Later in the evening, the children also ate homemade chicken prepared during the wedding celebrations. After some time, all four children reportedly began complaining of discomfort, stomach pain and weakness.

Sudden Health Deterioration

Doctors said Akhilesh Dheewar’s condition worsened rapidly during the night. He reportedly suffered repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulty before becoming unconscious. Initially, family members took him to a local unqualified practitioner in the village for treatment. However, his condition continued to deteriorate overnight.

On Monday morning, relatives arranged an ambulance and rushed him towards the district hospital in Janjgir. Officials confirmed that the teenager died before reaching the hospital. Meanwhile, the three other children developed comparatively milder symptoms and were immediately admitted to the emergency ward of the district hospital. Doctors said all three children are currently stable and under continuous observation.

Doctors Suspect Food Poisoning

Civil Surgeon Dr. Kujur said preliminary findings indicate that food poisoning caused by infected or improperly stored watermelon may have triggered the illness. According to medical experts, cut fruits exposed for a long time during extreme summer temperatures can quickly develop bacterial contamination, especially if they are not refrigerated or covered properly.

Doctors stated that such contamination can lead to vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration and stomach infections, particularly among children whose immunity is comparatively weaker. Health officials also said they are examining whether the chicken consumed later in the evening may have worsened the condition.

Investigation Underway

The district administration and health department have started an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the suspected poisoning. Officials are expected to collect food samples and verify whether contamination occurred due to improper storage, unhygienic preparation or spoiled ingredients. Authorities said statements from family members and villagers are also being recorded as part of the inquiry. Local officials indicated that awareness regarding safe food handling during summer gatherings and social functions is necessary to avoid such incidents in future.

Summer Heat Raises Risks

Medical professionals said food poisoning cases generally increase during summer because high temperatures accelerate bacterial growth in cooked food and cut fruits. Experts explained that watermelon and other water-rich fruits can become unsafe if kept in open conditions for several hours after cutting. Similarly, meat items like chicken require proper cooking and storage, especially during hot weather, to prevent bacterial infections. Doctors advised people attending weddings, community events and outdoor gatherings to avoid consuming food items that have remained exposed for a long time.

Warning Against Unqualified Treatment

The incident has also raised concerns regarding dependence on unqualified rural practitioners during medical emergencies. According to officials, the deceased teenager was initially taken to a local “jhola chhap” practitioner before being shifted to a hospital. Health experts stressed that symptoms such as continuous vomiting, unconsciousness, breathing difficulty and severe dehydration require immediate hospital treatment. They warned that delays in proper medical care during food poisoning can significantly increase health risks, especially among children.

Villagers Shocked

The sudden death of the teenager has created panic and grief among relatives and villagers in Ghurkot and nearby areas. Residents said the children appeared healthy before suddenly falling ill after the family meal. Many villagers gathered at the district hospital after news of the death spread on Monday morning.

Local people demanded awareness campaigns in rural areas regarding food safety, summer hygiene and emergency healthcare access.

Health Advisory Issued

Following the incident, doctors advised people to avoid consuming cut fruits left in open heat for long durations.Medical experts recommended storing fruits in cool conditions and consuming freshly prepared food during summer months.They also urged parents to ensure children remain hydrated and avoid stale or uncovered food during social gatherings and functions.

Officials stated that awareness regarding food hygiene becomes especially important during the ongoing summer season when temperatures remain extremely high across many districts of Chhattisgarh.

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Bhagirath Borewell Tragedy: 8 Failed Rescue Attempts

Abhishek Joshi — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:41:02 +0530

Bhagirath Borewell Tragedy: 8 Failed Attempts, 22-Hour Rescue Ends in Death

Rescue Effort Collapses After Midnight

A two-year-old child, Bhagirath Devasi, died after falling into a 200-foot-deep borewell in Badnagar, Ujjain district. The rescue operation lasted nearly 22 hours but ended in tragedy on Thursday.

Eight consecutive attempts to pull the child out failed. Teams from SDRF and NDRF worked through the night, yet could only recover the body using iron rods and ropes meant for extracting motors.

Timeline of a Failed Operation

The child slipped into the borewell around 4:30 PM on Wednesday. Rescue teams reached within an hour. But initial efforts lacked coordination.

Officials said Bhagirath was first trapped at 35 feet. Due to unsuccessful hook attempts, he slipped deeper to 70 feet. Oxygen supply was maintained until 2 PM Thursday, after which the pipe was removed – a clear signal that the team had given up hope.

Equipment Gaps Haunt Rescuers

Ujjain SDRF’s underwater camera worked only up to 55 feet. When the child went deeper, the equipment became useless. Plastic joint pipes were ordered from private suppliers. A private expert, Vijaysingh Sankhla, had to be called in with better cameras used normally for removing faulty motors.

“The camera lacked stability. The underwater view was blurry,” sources indicated.

Harda SDRF later arrived with thin iron pipes, a three-legged stand, and a child dummy for practice – something the local team did not possess.

No Stability, No Backup Plan

For the first eight hours, rescuers relied on only one strategy: hooking the child’s clothes or bangle. When that failed repeatedly, no backup plan existed.

Ground leveling was ignored initially. Jawans and villagers held the rod manually at the borewell opening. Harda SDRF later leveled the ground and installed a locking stand, which provided better control.

Parallel Pit Technique Not Used Early

Officials confirmed that parallel digging – a standard method where a pit is dug alongside the borewell – was not attempted in the first several hours. By the time it began, time had already run out.

“If Harda team had arrived earlier, the outcome could have been better,” an officer admitted.

Official Statements and Compensation

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed grief and announced ₹4 lakh as financial assistance for the family. District Collector Roshan Kumar Singh and SP Pradeep Sharma remained at the site throughout.

SDRF Ujjain Commandant Santosh Kumar Jat said the team was actively engaged. But sources noted that the local SDRF lacked clear strategy and depth-specific training.

What Next: Questions Without Answers

The tragedy has exposed glaring gaps in India’s borewell rescue infrastructure. Experts say standard operating procedures for borewell depth beyond 50 feet do not exist at the district level.

Public interest groups are now demanding a national audit of rescue equipment across all SDRF units. Meanwhile, Bhagirath’s body was handed over to his family after post-mortem. Last rites were performed on Thursday evening.

As one official put it on condition of anonymity, “We brought rods to pull out a motor. We forgot we were pulling out a child.”