A survivor of the Udhampur road accident, who sustained serious injuries to his chest and ribs, underwent a complicated chest reconstruction surgery and got a new lease of life. Surgeons at the Government Medical College (GMC) used specialised “titanium plates and screws” to fix the disrupted breastbone.
As many as 21 people were killed, and 51 others suffered injuries when an overcrowded passenger bus plunged nearly 100 metres down a hillside in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur district on April 20.
The Army and teams from the civil administration had launched a quick rescue mission and were able to save the lives of some 6-8 critically injured persons in the accident. Later, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah flagged serious violations, saying that it was a truck driver who was driving the bus, which led to the tragic accident.
While some of the victims were discharged after receiving medical treatment, others are still undergoing treatment.
“The victim had suffered a complete disruption of the ‘sternum’ (breastbone), with displacement separating the manubrium (upper part) from the main body of the breastbone.
The impact also fractured multiple ribs on both sides of his chest, leading to a life-threatening condition known as 'flail chest', a spokesperson of the Government Medical College (GMC) said on Saturday.