Date:06/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/06/stories/2009010660500300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Emergency Response Service proves its worth

Special Correspondent

Ordeal of a pregnant woman and relief

. — Photo: M.Moorthy

Collector T. Soundiah enquiring about the health of the woman who was rescued by Emergency Rescue Service in Tiruchi on Monday

TIRUCHI: The recently introduced 108 Emergency Response Service proved its worth when it came to the rescue of a woman and her new born, after she was delivered off the baby in an autorickshaw here on Monday.

The woman, Kuthun Basheer of Nagamangalam, went through a horrendous experience as she left her house this morning, apparently for a medical check up. As she was travelling in a city bus, she developed acute pain and got off from the bus near Crawford.

She managed to hire an autorickshaw. But as soon as she got into the vehicle, she went into labour and was quickly delivered off a girl child.

The autorickshaw driver, though in panic, had the presence of mind to call the Emergency Response Service at 108 from his mobile phone. Within minutes, an ambulance from the city rushed to the spot, transported the mother and her daughter quickly to the K.A.P.Viswanatham Government Medical Hospital.

Doctors at the hospital, alerted by the para-medics on board the ambulance, attended to them immediately on arrival.

Collector T.Soundiah, on being informed of the incident, called on the mother and enquired about their health.