Timely action saved auto driver with rod in his leg

Quick thinking saved 30-year-old Amrik Singh's right leg and, most probably, his life too.

Quick thinking saved 30-year-old Amrik Singh's right leg and, most probably, his life too.

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In a case similar to Supratim Datta's, an iron rod pierced through the 23-year-old chest in July 2008, Singh's right leg was impaled by a one-inch iron rod after the auto he was driving collided with a truck carrying the rods. The rod then lodged itself in the chassis of the auto, impeding Singh's movement.

Singh and some passers by called the fire brigade, who freed him from the chassis.

“Had he tried to pull himself free or not reached the hospital in time, he could have lost his leg and even his life due to excessive bleeding. Calling the fire brigade to release him was a smart step,” said Dr Vijay Sharma, orthopedic surgeon, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre.

The accident occurred on Thursday morning near Kalkaji Temple. The auto was carrying four passengers, one of whom was also hurt in the incident. She was later discharged.

Singh was brought to the AIIMS Trauma Centre at 4:46 a.m., an hour after the accident. Part of the rod was still lodged in his leg.

“His ankle was completely twisted and his foot was turning blue. The rod was lodged very close to his artery and nerves and that increased

the danger of cutting blood circulation to his foot,” said Sharma.

The muscles on Singh’s leg ruptured and he suffered a fracture in two bones. The rod narrowly missed Singh’s shin bone, which could have complicated his case more.

“Singh will be able to go home in a week’s time. It will take six to eight weeks for him to recover completely,” said M.C. Misra, chief of the AIIMS Trauma Centre.