Police recruitment claims third life in as many days

Vishal Karde was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, after he fell unconscious during the 5-km run; he died yesterday

In a statistic that chills the heart, the police recruitment process in the city and Thane combined has been chalking up a death a day for the last three days.

Also read: 2 aspiring cops die after suffering heat stroke during recruitment

The deceased had collapsed and fell unconscious during the physical endurance test, organised as a part of state-wide drive for candidates aspiring to join Maharashtra police force. File pic

On Wednesday, when two aspirants, one each from the Mumbai and Thane police, died, 22-year-old man Vishal Karde was rushed to the hospital after collapsing during the 5-km run, which is part of the constable recruitment drive in Vikhroli. The other two deceased had also collapsed during the run.

Karde, a Nashik resident, was admitted to Mulund’s Platinum Hospital in an unconscious state and he died there yesterday after battling for his life in the ICU for two days.

Doctors from the hospital said Karde was in respiratory shock due to exertion when he was admitted, and he later developed cerebral edema (accumulation of fluids in the brain), leading to his death.

He had been admitted to the M T Agarwal Municipal General Hospital in Mulund before being shifted to Platinum Hospital. Speaking to mid-day, Dr Sanjit Paul, CEO and managing head, Platinum Hospital said, “He was admitted after a gruelling recruitment round under the scorching sun.

Vishal was suffering from extreme dehydration and we could barely feel his pulse. Later, he developed cerebral edema and, despite our best efforts to revive him, he died around 10 am on Friday.” Dr Paul added that Vishal had gone into respiratory shock caused by exertion. “His family is not very well off and was unable to foot the bills.

We are waiting for a confirmation from police authorities on whether they are willing to come forward with funds.” Vishal’s body has been shifted to the civic-run Rajawadi hospital in Ghatkopar, where the post-mortem was conducted.

Sufferers
Since Tuesday, close to 15 constable aspirants have been rushed to Rajawadi Hospital due to acute dehydration. Out of them, four are still under observation after they collapsed during the physical test rounds in Vikhroli. Medical Superintendent of the hospital, Dr Vidya Thakur, informed that their condition is currently stable.

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