Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 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

    Trump, Clinton Press Closer To General Election Showdown

    Bolstering his grip on the Republican primaries, Donald Trump prepared Wednesday for a general election showdown with Hillary Clinton, accusing the Democratic front-runner of "playing the woman card" in her presidential campaign.

    Trump, Clinton Press Closer To General Election Showdown

    In Oregon, Aid In Dying Gives Families Peace, A Chance To Say Goodbye

    In Oregon, Aid In Dying Gives Families Peace, A Chance To Say Goodbye
    PHILOMATH, Ore. — Months after he was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer, his body wasting away and his voice reduced to a whisper, Ben Wald woke up his wife in the middle of the night and told her he was dying.

    In Oregon, Aid In Dying Gives Families Peace, A Chance To Say Goodbye

    Hillary Clinton Says She'd Replicate Canada's Gender-Balanced Cabinet

    Hillary Clinton Says She'd Replicate Canada's Gender-Balanced Cabinet
    Hillary Clinton, appeared to indicate her intention to follow suit when asked about it in a televised event on the eve of Tuesday's five northeastern primaries.

    Hillary Clinton Says She'd Replicate Canada's Gender-Balanced Cabinet

    E-Petition Calls On Liberals To Hold Inquiry Into Afghan Torture Allegations

    E-Petition Calls On Liberals To Hold Inquiry Into Afghan Torture Allegations
    The Liberals have until May 30th to respond in writing, and unlike the old paper petitions tabled in the House of Commons, the federal government is obliged to post its answer online.

    E-Petition Calls On Liberals To Hold Inquiry Into Afghan Torture Allegations

    Megyn Kelly To Interview Donald Trump For Fox TV Special

    Megyn Kelly To Interview Donald Trump For Fox TV Special
    The Republican front-runner will be a guest on "Megyn Kelly Presents," a prime-time special airing May 17, the network said Monday.

    Megyn Kelly To Interview Donald Trump For Fox TV Special

    3,600 Indian Women Married To Nepalese Get Citizenship

    As many as 3,672 Indian women married to Nepalese men since the promulgation of the new constitution in September last year have become naturalised citizens of the Himalayan nation, the home ministry said on Tuesday.

    3,600 Indian Women Married To Nepalese Get Citizenship