Shock at funeral ceremony
A bizarre incident in India’s Maharashtra state has stunned many after a 19-year-old man, previously declared brain dead following a car accident, reportedly showed signs of life during his own funeral.
The teenager, identified as Bhau Lachke from Trimbakeshwar Taluka in Nashik, had been injured in a road accident days earlier. Doctors informed the family that he was brain dead, and his relatives proceeded to arrange funeral rites.
However, as the ceremony was taking place, Lachke’s body suddenly showed faint movements before he began to cough, leaving mourners in shock. His relatives quickly rushed him back to hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator due to the severity of his condition.
Hospital disputes brain death claim
The extraordinary turn of events has attracted widespread attention across India. While the family insisted that doctors had already declared him brain dead, the hospital refuted this, stating they had never made an official declaration. According to the hospital, the misunderstanding stemmed from the family’s misinterpretation of medical terms used during his treatment.
Medical experts explained that brain death is a legally recognised state in India that requires specific tests before confirmation. Once declared, recovery is considered impossible. The hospital’s denial has therefore raised questions about communication between medical staff and the family. Authorities are now investigating the case to determine whether negligence or miscommunication played a role.
Growing debate on medical protocols
This case has sparked renewed debate on medical ethics, hospital communication, and the handling of brain death declarations. Families often rely heavily on doctors’ explanations, and unclear communication can lead to unnecessary trauma, as seen in this situation.
For now, Lachke remains in critical condition in hospital, supported by a ventilator. His family, still reeling from the ordeal, expressed anguish at what they described as a harrowing experience of being forced to mourn their loved one too soon, only to be shocked by his unexpected movements during the funeral.