SHILLONG: The toll in the West Khasi Hills truck accident rose to 18 with a woman, who was admitted in NEIGRIHMS, succumbing to her injuries on Thursday.
West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Arunkumar Kembhavi confirmed the death of the woman identified as Yunmodistra Wahlang (18) hailing from Nongbudum village in West Khasi Hills.
On February 26, as many as 17 people were killed and 61 injured when the truck in which they were travelling in rammed into a concrete barricade on National Highway 44(E).
Later, some of the seriously injured persons were shifted to NEIGRIHMS.
NEIGRIHMS public relations in a shambles
Incidentally, media was not provided with necessary information by NEIGRIHMS about the injured persons who were undergoing treatment in the hospital and also about Thursday’s casualty.
Whenever media persons contacted NEIGRIHMS Director Dr P. Bhattacharya to know about the status of the truck accident victims, he referred to Dr Manuj Kr Saikia who is the protocol officer.
Though Dr Saikia is also the chief spokesperson and public relations officer, he did not have any information about the death of the West Khasi Hills accident victim and instead he informed that Medical Superintendent A.C Phukan is the right authority.
However, Phukan insisted that the media should get the required information from Saikia.
When media persons contacted Saikia, the reply was he was out of station and added that he only knew that somebody had died but did not have the details.
