Nair Hospital Death Case Post-Mortem Report: Bilateral Pneumothorax (Excess Oxygen) Kills Man Stuck in MRI Machine

Mumbai, January 29: A 32-year old man, Rajesh Maru died on Saturday evening after he was pulled into a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine in Mumbai’s Nair Hospital. Maru, who was accompanying a relative to the MRI room for a scan carried an oxygen cylinder into the room for his ailing relative to breathe. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which runs the hospital has ordered an inquiry to ascertain how the cylinder made it to the MRI room where metal objects are not allowed. As per reports, Maru's brother-in-law, Harish Solanki informed that the ward boy told them it was fine to bring in the cylinder into the MRI scan room. It must be noted that objects containing metals are not allowed inside the MRI room as they could be pulled by the machine's powerful magnet.

Cause of Death

According to post-mortem performed on Sunday, Maru died due to lung collapse which happened due to excess inhalation of oxygen.  As per the preliminary post-mortem report, “The cause of the death was bilateral pneumothorax due to traumatic subcutaneous emphysema”. Pneumothorax is an abnormal collection of air in the pleural space between the lung and the chest wall.

Maru’s death has been caused by excessive inhalation of oxygen. By the time he was pulled out, he had inhaled an excessive amount of oxygen (which leaked from the cylinder), causing his death on the spot.

What exactly happened:

A relative of Maru, Lakshmibai Solanki was admitted to the ICU of the hospital since January 26 for treatment of viral fever. The victim’s brother-in-law, Harish Solanki, who claimed to be an eyewitness to the incident, said, “Last evening, the doctor told us to get the MRI done, following which Maru and two other family members approached the MRI room.

Metallic objects are not allowed in MRI rooms. The patient’s family members said they were made to remove all such items, including mobile phone handsets, before going inside. They claimed the ward boy said that the oxygen cylinder could be carried in the room as the machine was not switched on.

When Maru entered the room with the patient, the machine was already switched on. Maru was yanked into the jaws of an MRI machine and inhaled the gas that leaked out of the container, causing his death. Solanki said the ward boy told them that the oxygen cylinder could be carried inside the MRI room despite the objection raised by family members of the patient.  The machines powerful magnetic field pulled Maru towards it along with the oxygen cylinder. Maru’s hand got trapped in the machine while the opening of the oxygen cylinder snapped. After hearing the commotion, Maru’s family members rushed into the room and pulled him out of the machine.

Compensation announced

BJP lawmaker MP Lodha on Sunday demanded compensation and stern action against those responsible for Maru's tragic death at the Nair Hospital. Maru’s family members along with local people and MP Lodha protested inside dean's cabin and demanded immediate action against the culprit & compensation. Soon after, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs for family of the victim Rajesh Maru.

Action Taken Against Accused

The Agripada police on Sunday arrested Dr Saurabh Lanjrekar (24), ward boy Vithal Chavan (35) and attendant Sunita Surve (35), booking them under the IPC's section 304A (negligence causing death; a bailable offence). The hospital authorities have also handed over the CCTV footage of the incident to the police. The hospital's dean, Dr Ramesh Bharmal, said they are conducting an inquiry into the incident.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 29, 2018 01:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).