World Trauma Day: Take Action, Save A Life
Snigdha Basu
1 min read
Oct 17, 2016, 08:46 PM
World Trauma Day is marked on the 17th of October each year around the world. It is a day aimed at showcasing the need to prevent deaths and disabilities caused by accidents. Having pushed the agenda on road safety, also regularly covering stories on road accidents and the lack of apathy that often leads to deaths we decided to dig deeper.
When an accident happens, usually people gather and either lend a helping hand or call for help. But on Indian roads where 400 deaths happen per day, victims are often left without any help. In August this year, 36-year-old Matibool, who worked two jobs to sustain his family lay bleeding on the road for over an hour in Subhash Nagar, West Delhi.
CCTV footage showed 140 cars, 82 three-wheelers, 181 bike riders and 45 pedestrians passed the dying man without helping. Doctors said had he been taken to a hospital, he would have lived. The apparent lack of apathy troubles people, invokes debates but still gets repeated often. But the 'new low in the lack of apathy' is not just the lack of compassion but an entire system that weighs in against helping accident victims.
Golden Hour - the period immediately after an accident is a crucial factor in trauma cases. In a country where manoeuvring through traffic even for an ambulance is not easy, the role of by-standers and emergency staff (like PCR vans and fire squads) is vital - and yes every second counts. Dr Arun Prasad, neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals says, "We have trained about 2000 policemen in the NCR region with basic first aid techniques that are handy until an equipped ambulance reaches the spot. We are hoping to extend such training to schools, security agencies and media because it is often they who reach the spot first."
With poorly equipped and slow to arrive ambulances, the need of the hour is a Good Samaritan. Doctors say, often all they need to do is provide first aid and assure the victim that medical help is on its way. Prompt evacuation, checking pulse, providing CPR and doing a jaw thrust are some key techniques that doctors and paramedics explained and demonstrated to us. Usually after an accident, it is important to ensure the victims are able to breathe. Dr JC Passey, Director Lok Nayak Hospital says, "After an accident often the tongue rolls back blocking the airway. As a by-stander, all one has to do until paramedics arrive is: lift the jaw and chin and that will prevent the tongue from rolling back and allow passage of air."
India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to road accidents. One million people are killed and over 20 million hospitalised each year. In 2015, at least 1.5 lakh (150,000) people died due to road accidents in India. Statistics that raised concerns for a government that lost a cabinet minister in a car crash in 2014. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport Minister set a goal to reduce car fatalities by 50% by 2020. This trauma day, lets pledge to be safe on the roads, stop and lend a helping hand.
When an accident happens, usually people gather and either lend a helping hand or call for help. But on Indian roads where 400 deaths happen per day, victims are often left without any help. In August this year, 36-year-old Matibool, who worked two jobs to sustain his family lay bleeding on the road for over an hour in Subhash Nagar, West Delhi.
CCTV footage showed 140 cars, 82 three-wheelers, 181 bike riders and 45 pedestrians passed the dying man without helping. Doctors said had he been taken to a hospital, he would have lived. The apparent lack of apathy troubles people, invokes debates but still gets repeated often. But the 'new low in the lack of apathy' is not just the lack of compassion but an entire system that weighs in against helping accident victims.
Golden Hour - the period immediately after an accident is a crucial factor in trauma cases. In a country where manoeuvring through traffic even for an ambulance is not easy, the role of by-standers and emergency staff (like PCR vans and fire squads) is vital - and yes every second counts. Dr Arun Prasad, neurosurgeon at Apollo Hospitals says, "We have trained about 2000 policemen in the NCR region with basic first aid techniques that are handy until an equipped ambulance reaches the spot. We are hoping to extend such training to schools, security agencies and media because it is often they who reach the spot first."
With poorly equipped and slow to arrive ambulances, the need of the hour is a Good Samaritan. Doctors say, often all they need to do is provide first aid and assure the victim that medical help is on its way. Prompt evacuation, checking pulse, providing CPR and doing a jaw thrust are some key techniques that doctors and paramedics explained and demonstrated to us. Usually after an accident, it is important to ensure the victims are able to breathe. Dr JC Passey, Director Lok Nayak Hospital says, "After an accident often the tongue rolls back blocking the airway. As a by-stander, all one has to do until paramedics arrive is: lift the jaw and chin and that will prevent the tongue from rolling back and allow passage of air."
India accounts for one-fifth of global deaths due to road accidents. One million people are killed and over 20 million hospitalised each year. In 2015, at least 1.5 lakh (150,000) people died due to road accidents in India. Statistics that raised concerns for a government that lost a cabinet minister in a car crash in 2014. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport Minister set a goal to reduce car fatalities by 50% by 2020. This trauma day, lets pledge to be safe on the roads, stop and lend a helping hand.
Latest Cars
Upcoming Cars
Latest News
Jaiveer Mehra | May 16, 2026Volkswagen ID.Polo GTI Revealed; 223 bhp Hot Hatch First EV To Wear GTI BadgeThe ID.Polo GTI is offered with a 52 kWh battery, offering up to 424 km of range, and has a sub-7-second 0-100 kmph sprint time.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 15, 2026Norton Manx R's Made-in-India V4 Engine: All You Need To KnowThe 1,200cc, 72-degree V4 engine of the Norton Manx R is perhaps the most sophisticated and powerful motorcycle engine built in India.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 15, 2026Norton Atlas To Be Fully Built In India Before LaunchThe Norton Atlas and Atlas GT will be the mid-size adventure touring models, which will be the first Norton models to be completely manufactured in India.1 min read
Hansaj Kukreti | May 15, 2026King's New Ride: Shah Rukh Khan Adds Rs 5 Crore American SUV Cadillac Escalade To His GarageBollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was recently spotted on the streets of Mumbai being driven around in a luxurious full-size SUV, and videos of the car have gone viral across social media.1 min read
car&bike Team | May 15, 2026Defender Leads JLR Volumes In India As Overall Sales Decline In FY26The brand has recorded a 14 per cent revenue growth, with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender being the most popular models1 min read
Jaiveer Mehra | May 15, 2026Tata Sierra EV Launch Confirmed For July-September Quarter; 2 New Nameplates Coming In 2026The launches in 2026 are expected to include the Punch & Punch EV facelifts with the Sierra EV and the Avinya EV expected to be the all-new nameplates.3 mins read
Preetam Bora | May 11, 20262026 Suzuki Burgman Street 125 Review: What’s Good, What’s Not?The new Suzuki Burgman Street 125 gets refreshed design, minor but meaningful tweaks to the engine, a stiffened chassis, new features and more. But is it worth recommending? Read on, to find out.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | May 11, 2026Audi SQ8 Review: The Performance SUV That Actually Makes SenseThe Audi SQ8 has the performance of a V8 seamlessly combined with the everyday luxury and comfort, making it one of the most complete performance SUVs on sale in India today.5 mins read
Jafar Rizvi | May 3, 2026River Indie Gen 3 Long Term Report: 1 Month, 400 km AfterAfter a month and 400 km, the River Indie impresses with its utility-first approach, smooth ride and standout design, despite a few everyday usability compromises.8 mins read
Bilal Firfiray | May 2, 2026Volkswagen Taigun Facelift Review: Still The Driver’s SUV, But Improved!The updated Volkswagen Taigun gets a new 8-speed automatic, a refreshed design, and added features. But does it still deliver the best driving experience in the C-SUV segment?5 mins read
Shams Raza Naqvi | Apr 29, 2026Toyota Innova Hycross Vs Mahindra XEV 9S: Choosing The Right Three Row Family MoverIn a battle of three-row cars the electric Mahindra XEV 9S takes on the Toyota Innova Hycross. Which one ticks more boxes?1 min read