When he set out on his service in the cause of rescuing those involved in road accidents and ensuring immediate medical attention, he would not have even imagined that he was set towards a greater mission.
At a time when the 108 emergency ambulance service was not in vogue, N. Sridharan, an ex-serviceman, started a mission of rescuing those involved in road accidents.
His experience in the army as a rescue team personnel had come in handy for him to rescue those who get trapped in the debris or inside the mangled cars or other carriage vehicles.
It was in 1991 that he decided to take up the service of rendering ambulance service to the needy.
His decision followed an exorbitant rent of Rs. 3,000 then demanded by an ambulance driver for taking his father’s body from the hospital to his native village nearby.
“Ambulance services were not affordable those days. Realising the economic problem of the have-nots, I decided to operate the ambulance at a modest rent,” he says.
Even today, he just collects a modest rent. Mr. Sridharan who now owns three ambulances, says he had saved 30 persons who were involved in road and rail accidents.
“Many who slip from the running trains suffer serious injuries and our team had rescued at least five persons from the track,” he says. Shortly after receiving any information about the accident or fall from train, his team rushes to the spot. A few doctors in Manapparai also extend adequate assistance in case of emergency.
Tips
Using his experience, he says the safety of legs of the victims trapped in a car or other vehicle should be first ensured.
“Once we catch hold of the legs, it will be more comfortable to rescue them,” he said and explained the strategy to be adopted in rescue operation.
An ex-serviceman in Manapparai runs an affordable ambulance service
