Berhampur: A youth from Biripur village under Khalikote block in Odisha’s Ganjam district lost his life allegedly due to a delay in reaching the hospital, after an 108 ambulance broke down midway.

The deceased, identified as Shankar Maharana, was playing cricket in a nearby field yesterday around 4 PM when he was hit by a ball in his stomach. He collapsed shortly after the incident and was rushed to Khalikote Hospital.

Doctors at the hospital, observing his deteriorating condition, referred him to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for better treatment. An 108 ambulance was arranged, and he was being transported to Berhampur around 11 PM.

However, tragedy struck when the ambulance reportedly broke down at Khalikote Ghat. It took around 3 hours for another ambulance to reach the spot.

By the time Shankar was finally admitted to the MKCG Hospital, it was 4 AM. He was declared dead by doctors at the hospital.

The family members of the deceased alleged that the delay caused by the ambulance breakdown led to Shankar’s untimely death. They have demanded a probe into the incident.