A 59-year-old man, who endured 42 hours trapped in an elevator at a major government hospital in Kerala over the weekend, described his harrowing experience and how he resorted to writing a farewell note to his family while confined in the lift.
Ravindran Nair was heading to the outpatient department of the hospital when the lift malfunctioned on Saturday, leaving him stuck midway. Without water and unable to move for an extended period, Nair’s arms and legs began losing mobility.
“I made every effort to escape from the lift,” Nair told a news channel. “I tried to open its doors. When I opened it, I could see only walls. I hit the wall of the lift in frustration.” Using his mobile phone’s torch, Nair wrote a note saying, “I was unable to move; my hands and legs were losing mobility, and I had no idea what time it was.”
He expressed concern for his children’s education and well-being, fearing the worst might happen. Despite the dire situation, Nair found solace in reading poems he had written, which were in his bag.
Nair’s ordeal ended on Monday morning when the lift operator resumed duty and opened the elevator doors. News of his plight sparked widespread public outrage, prompting the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) to seek an immediate report from the Superintendent of the Government Medical College Hospital.
The KSHRC Acting Chairperson and Judicial Member K Byjunath directed the superintendent to submit a detailed investigation report within 15 days, identifying the negligence that led to the incident. Nair, who had been stuck in the OP Block lift since Saturday, was finally rescued on Monday morning when the operator returned to work after the weekend.
The intervention by the Human Rights Commission followed a visit by Kerala Health Minister Veena George to the hospital, where Nair is currently undergoing treatment. The minister assured Nair and his family that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the negligence.
The minister’s office stated that she had enquired about Nair’s condition and doctors had reported it as satisfactory. Nair expressed gratitude for the minister’s visit, saying it brought him great comfort.
Upon learning of the incident, Minister George ordered an emergency investigation. Based on a preliminary investigation led by the Director of Medical Education, three staff members were suspended. The minister promised a detailed investigation and further action.
The incident has highlighted serious concerns about the safety protocols and maintenance procedures at the hospital, prompting calls for stricter oversight to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Keywords: hospital lift incident, Ravindran Nair, 42 hours trapped, Kerala government hospital, elevator malfunction, farewell note, Human Rights Commission, Kerala Health Minister, Veena George, emergency investigation.