By BEGENA GEORGE
SOCIAL workers are trying to secure compensation for an Indian who was critically injured in an accident early this month.
Tripparthi Shridhar has been working for six years as a labourer at the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry’s parks and gardens section.
The 36-year-old was loading items from a pick-up truck on the Shaikh Khalifa Highway at around 5.45am on August 2 when a car smashed into the truck.
He sustained neck and spine injuries which left him paralysed from the neck down. Saudi Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Hamad Al Gublani, 25, who was driving the car was killed instantly.
By BEGENA GEORGE
SOCIAL workers are trying to secure compensation for an Indian who was critically injured in an accident early this month.
Tripparthi Shridhar has been working for six years as a labourer at the Municipalities and Agriculture Ministry’s parks and gardens section.
The 36-year-old was loading items from a pick-up truck on the Shaikh Khalifa Highway at around 5.45am on August 2 when a car smashed into the truck.
He sustained neck and spine injuries which left him paralysed from the neck down. Saudi Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Hamad Al Gublani, 25, who was driving the car was killed instantly.
Mr Shridhar is still in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC), says the Telugu Kala Samithi welfare committee, which is spearheading his case.
Ministry officials say that compensation procedures cannot be initiated until they get the report from the traffic court about the accident, said committee member S Tito.
“Tripparthi’s condition is very critical and his chances of survival don’t seem very good,” he said.
“He is not even able to breathe on his own and is on a ventilator. He is the only bread-winner of his family that consists of his wife, and three-year-old and two-month old daughters.
“The doctors who are treating him are saying that he needs to be taken to India for further treatment.
“Now he is paralysed and his two brothers Bramyaa and Satish, who earn low incomes, are visiting him daily.
“Ministry officials have told us that they are waiting for the report from the traffic court before any procedure for compensation is initiated.
“However, Tripparthi needs to be sent home immediately and the risk of losing his life builds up with every passing moment. He can’t afford to wait for the paper-work to take its own time.
“He can’t even speak but there are tears coming from his eyes sometimes, which show that he understands what’s going on around him.
“We urge the authorities concerned to speed up his case on humanitarian grounds and to grant him the insurance amount and compensation that he deserves so that at least his half-lifeless body can be taken to India for a last chance of survival.”
An official from the ministry’s parks and gardens section, who did not want to be named, told the GDN that they were waiting for the report about the accident to be forwarded to them by the traffic court and any procedures related to the compensation would have to wait.
Traffic sources earlier told the GDN that Mr Al Gublani did not notice the six-wheel truck. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene from chest and head injuries.
Both Kunju Pramesh, 30, a front-seat passenger in the truck and driver Nizar Mohammed, 37, suffered neck injuries while another driver Mohammed Ali Ibrahim, 53, escaped unhurt. begena@gdn.com.bh