16-Month-Old Dies After Ambulance Stuck for 5 Hours on Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway
Newborn infant's foots and heel prick, PKU phenylketonuria test. Blood draw puncture. Guthrie' test for congenital genetic diseases. Close up.
A massive traffic jam on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway claimed the life of a 16-month-old boy, Riyan Sheikh, from Pelhar. The tragedy unfolded on Thursday when the ambulance carrying him was stuck for more than five hours in a 20–25 km-long jam.
Riyan had fallen from the fourth floor of a building, suffering severe abdominal and pelvic injuries. He was first treated at Galaxy Hospital in Chinchoti, Naigaon, where doctors advised shifting him to a bigger hospital in Mumbai for advanced care. Around 1:30 pm, his family set out in an ambulance, only to be caught in gridlock caused by ongoing roadwork and diversions on the Thane-Ghodbunder stretch.
As his condition deteriorated, the family diverted to a smaller hospital in Sasunavghar village, but Riyan was declared dead on arrival.
The incident has sparked anger among locals, who blame poor traffic planning and the lack of emergency routes for the loss of lives. Just two months ago, another patient, Chhaya Kaushik, had died in similar circumstances while stuck in traffic on the same route.
Residents and leaders are now demanding urgent reforms, including dedicated ambulance corridors and faster clearance measures during emergencies.
