Doctor Driving Hyundai Creta Arrested For Blocking Ambulance [Video]
A disturbing incident from Kerala’s Kannur district sheds light on the critical importance of yielding to emergency vehicles. Kerala police have arrested Dr. Rahul Raj, a pediatrician, for not giving way to an ambulance, thereby leading to the death of a critically ill heart patient that it was carrying. The incident occurred on Nayanar Road in Thalassery.
Here is the video that shows the incident, where a Hyundai Creta N-Line SUV driven by the doctor blocks the ambulance multiple times even as the road has enough space for the SUV to move to the extreme left and let the ambulance pass.
How It Happened:
The ambulance, which was carrying Rukiya, a patient whose heart condition had worsened, was on its way from Mattanur Mission Hospital to a private hospital in Thalassery.
According to the ambulance driver, the Hyundai Creta SUV driven by the doctor blocked the road for over 30 seconds despite having space to move aside.
The accompanying nurse was performing CPR on the patient all the while and this emphasizes the urgency of the situation. Video footage of the incident, captured and later circulated on social media, shows the Hyundai Creta N-Line SUV’s failure to give way, even amidst continuous honking and sirens.
Sarath later filed a complaint with the Kadirur police and the regional transport office, alleging deliberate obstruction by the Hyundai Creta N-Line SUV’s driver – the doctor! The patient’s family, travelling in another vehicle behind the ambulance, initially had no idea why the emergency vehicle was delayed.
Legal Action and Fines
Following the complaint, Kadirur police booked Dr. Rahul Raj under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act, including Section 285 (causing danger or obstruction in public spaces) and Section 194E (failing to yield to emergency vehicles). The Motor Vehicle Department also imposed a fine of ₹5,000 on the doctor. He was arrested on Friday night but was later released on bail.
Doctor’s Defense
Dr Rahul claimed that the incident was unintentional. He reportedly told the police that he panicked upon noticing the ambulance in traffic and was unable to make way immediately due to congestion. He added that he moved his Hyundai Creta aside as soon as the road cleared. However, by then, it was too late for the critically ill patient.
Not A One-Off Incident!
This incident highlights a recurring issue in Kerala and across India—drivers obstructing emergency vehicles. Last year, a man in Thrissur deliberately blocked an ambulance on a two-lane road, leading to the revocation of his driving license and a fine. Despite public awareness campaigns and strict laws, such actions continue to jeopardize lives.
Things to do when you see/hear an ambulance approaching
Give way! Treat every ambulance siren as a case that’s critical, and get out of the path of the vehicle. The easiest way to do this is to see if there’s space on the left shoulder of the road, and get to that space quickly.
While doing so, make sure that you turn on your vehicle’s left indicators, and keep an eye on the rear view mirror to avoid making an abrupt turn.