Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin Doctor, 33, Dies After He Falls Asleep Behind Wheel In UK

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Jul, 2016 01:18 PM
    An Indian-origin doctor who died in a car crash after working three long night shifts is believed to have fallen asleep behind the wheel just a couple of kilometres away from home, a British court has heard.
     
    Ronak Patel, 33, a trainee anaesthetist from Ixworth village, Suffolk county, had been singing on the phone to his wife to help keep him awake, an inquest heard this week.
     
    He had been working three long night shifts when his car hit a lorry in August last year, his inquest heard this week.
     
    Dr Patel is believed to have fallen asleep on the highway at Honington in Suffolk, about five kilometres from his home.
     
    "The most plausible explanation for the collision was that Dr Patel fell asleep," local police accident investigator Mark Webb told the hearing.
     
    The doctor was declared dead at the scene after he sustained a broken neck and other injuries.
     
    Yvonne Blake, Suffolk assistant coroner, concluded that he died as a result of his car being involved in a collision with a heavy goods vehicle, The Times reported.
     
    Dr Patel's wife Helen had earlier told police that he had been keen to get back home and they had been singing to each other over his hands-free phone to keep him awake.
     
    But he was cut off while driving home from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and she tried to call him back 14 times without getting any reply before getting into her car to find him.
     
    The inquest at Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk heard that she was met by police on the way, who told her that there had been an accident.
     
    "He was a highly regarded and capable doctor and was extremely popular within the department," a spokesperson from Dr Patel's workplace said.
     
    His mother Mina Patel said her son "was an inspiration to everyone he met".
     
    Recent research in the UK has indicated that the medical professions have the worst road accident rates.
     
    Local GPs have the highest rate, with 13 per cent having made an "at-fault" claim in the past three years, compared with the 6 per cent average for British workers.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    India's NSG Dream Hits The Great Wall Of China

    India's NSG Dream Hits The Great Wall Of China
    India's wait for a coveted Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership continues even after eight years of lobbying, as China foiled its latest bid in Seoul on the grounds that New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

    India's NSG Dream Hits The Great Wall Of China

    Scottish Leader: New Independence Referendum 'Highly Likely'

    She said she will seek powers to hold a second vote because of her desire to keep Scotland in the European bloc.

    Scottish Leader: New Independence Referendum 'Highly Likely'

    CNN hires fired Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski

    Lewandowski made his first appearance on Erin Burnett's "Outfront" program Thursday evening.

    CNN hires fired Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski

    Chinese National Gets Nine-year Jail In Pakistan For Trying To Smuggle Weapons

    Chinese National Gets Nine-year Jail In Pakistan For Trying To Smuggle Weapons
    Hearing the case, Gilgit ATC judge Shahbaz Khan also asked the Punjab inspector general of police to take action against the arms dealer who sold four pistols and hundreds of bullets to the foreigner, Dawn reported.

    Chinese National Gets Nine-year Jail In Pakistan For Trying To Smuggle Weapons

    'Lost Between Both Worlds': Why Afghan Sikhs, Hindus Are Leaving 'Home'

    For centuries, Hindu and Sikh communities played a prominent role in merchant trade and money lending in Afghanistan, although today they are known more for medicinal herb shops.

    'Lost Between Both Worlds': Why Afghan Sikhs, Hindus Are Leaving 'Home'

    Parents Of 'Jihadi Jack' To Face Terror Trial In UK

    Parents Of 'Jihadi Jack' To Face Terror Trial In UK
    The parents of a white British Muslim convert dubbed "Jihadi Jack", thought to be fighting in Syria with the ISIS terrorisms, will stand trial in January accused of funding terrorism.

    Parents Of 'Jihadi Jack' To Face Terror Trial In UK