Daijiworld Media Network - Nashik

Nashik, Oct 14: A nine-year-old boy tragically died after choking on food, despite desperate efforts by his mother to save him and the intervention of a local BJP leader, highlighting a shocking lapse in public empathy and urgency.

According to reports, the incident occurred on Sunday evening around 8 PM near the Outer Ring Road in Nashik’s Maratha Colony area. The boy, identified as Praveen Suresh Dakhale, began struggling to breathe while eating. His mother, Sangeeta Dakhale, immediately carried him on her shoulders to a nearby private doctor. The doctor advised her to take the child to the municipal Bitco Hospital for emergency care.

Desperate for help, Sangeeta approached several passing rickshaw drivers to transport her son, but all refused. Witnessing the helpless mother, BJP Nashik South District Vice President Bhushan Shahane intervened, carrying Praveen and his mother on his two-wheeler to Bitco Hospital. Tragically, by the time they arrived, Praveen had passed away in his mother’s arms.

Bhushan Shahane first attempted to take the child to Savitribai Phule Municipal Hospital at Sinnar Phata, but the hospital gates were closed. He then rushed them to Bitco Hospital, where hospital staff failed to provide immediate assistance, including a stretcher or CPR support. Doctors confirmed Praveen dead upon arrival.

The mother, Sangeeta Dakhale, had been visiting Maratha Colony with her son when the incident occurred. She reportedly tried every possible step to save him, but public indifference and closed hospital facilities resulted in an irreversible tragedy.

The incident has drawn attention to the urgent need for greater public empathy and readiness to assist in medical emergencies.