Police to probe safety lapses at dance event venue

Police investigate safety lapses at ‘Mridanga Naadam’ event after MLA Uma Thomas sustains serious injuries falling from gallery.

The police will probe safety lapses, if any, on the part of organisers of ‘Mridanga Naadam,’ an event during which Uma Thomas, MLA, sustained serious injuries, including to her head, on Sunday evening, as she fell from a height of 15 feet from a gallery at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, it is learnt.

This comes in the wake of allegations that the gallery that was set up for the inauguration did not have safety railings, and that there was inadequate space for people to walk through the pathway at the periphery of the gallery. District Police Chief (Kochi City) Putta Vimaladitya was among those who inspected the site soon after the incident.

Speaking of the incident, Hibi Eden, MP, said that Ms. Thomas would not have fallen if the dance event organisers had adhered to safety norms regarding railings and provided adequate space for the pathway. The incident shows that there ought to be safety protocols for non-sporting activities that are held at the stadium, Mr. Eden said.

One of the organisers said that installing railings around the gallery — a sub-stage to host the inauguration — would have prevented guests from having a proper view of the dance event.

On the medical care arranged for Ms. Thomas, Health Minister Veena George said that a team of specialist doctors from Kottayam and Ernakulam medical college hospitals would arrive here on Sunday night and assess her condition. They would be led by Dr. Jayakumar, Superintendent of Kottayam Medical College Hospital. This was apart from the medical board that had been set up by the hospital where she was admitted, she said.

Industries Minister P. Rajeeve said that Ms. Thomas’ health was being continuously monitored, and that the future course of action would be taken on the basis of feedback from the team of specialist doctors. After speaking to doctors, the Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan said Ms. Thomas’ condition was getting stable.

A medical bulletin issued by Renai Medicity said that Ms. Thomas suffered injury to her brain, face, cervical spine, and lungs in the impact of the fall. CT scan and X-ray were taken since she fell from a height. The results show that there is no severe fracture. However, there is no need of immediate/emergency surgery. Only after 24 hours of observation can one say whether her condition is stable.