Bharatpur (Rajasthan), June 30 (IANS) A family’s grief turned into an even greater tragedy after a 29-year-old man died in a road accident in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur district on Tuesday while returning home with the body of his 15-day-old son.

The accident allegedly occurred early morning within the jurisdiction of the Sewar Police Station in Bharatpur after the ambulance driver dozed off at the wheel. The man’s wife, father, aunt, and the ambulance driver were injured in the crash.

According to police, the ambulance collided with a vehicle moving ahead of it after the driver allegedly fell asleep while driving.

ASI Fateh Lal of the Sewar Police Station said the accident occurred at around 5 a.m. near Ludhavai village. The deceased has been identified as Hetram, 29, a resident of the B-Narayan Gate area of Bharatpur city.

According to the police, Hetram’s wife, Khushbu, had given birth to a baby boy at the Zanana Hospital 15 days ago. As the child was born prematurely, he was immediately referred to a hospital in Jaipur for specialised treatment. However, the newborn died at around 11 p.m. on Monday while undergoing treatment.

Following the child’s death, Hetram, along with his wife Khushbu, father Jagdish, and aunt Guddi, was returning to Bharatpur in an ambulance carrying the newborn’s body.

Family members alleged that the ambulance driver had been dozing off repeatedly during the journey. Hetram reportedly warned him several times to drive carefully. However, near Ludhavai, the driver allegedly fell into a deep sleep, causing the ambulance to lose control and crash into a vehicle travelling ahead.

The impact of the collision was severe, completely damaging the front portion of the ambulance. Hetram, who was seated in the front, sustained critical injuries and was declared dead after being taken to RBM Hospital. The ambulance driver also suffered serious injuries and has been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Khushbu, Jagdish, and Guddi, who were seated in the rear of the ambulance, also sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment. After completing the post-mortem examination, the police handed over Hetram’s body to his family. Further investigation into the accident is underway.

–IANS

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