Obese 280-Pound Woman Slips Off Stairs, Falls On Husband, Killing Both In Freak Accident
In what is being described as a freak accident, a woman weighing over 280 pounds slipped and fell on her husband resulting in the deaths of them both. The accident happened in the Indian city of Rajkot, located in the western state of Gujarat. According to the Times of India, the woman, identified as 68-year-old Manjula Vithlani, was trying to walk up a flight of stairs when she slipped and fell on her husband, Natvarlal, who was standing below. The incident happened on Monday and has shocked people living in the upmarket Ramdham Society located in the heart of the city. The elderly couple lived with their son and daughter-in-law in the house.
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Initial reports say that Manjula was trying to hurriedly climb up the stairs of the two-story bungalow in which they were living when the accident happened. In the wee hours of Monday morning, the couple’s son Ashish reportedly developed a breathing problem. Ashish and his wife Nisha lived on the first floor of the two-story home while the elderly parents were on the ground floor.
In the middle of the night, the elderly couple were awakened by the sound of Nisha who had come downstairs to get some medicines for Ashish. Manjula, on hearing that Ashish had trouble breathing, panicked and rushed to the flight of stairs and started climbing hurriedly. Her husband Natvarlal followed her. Unfortunately, she slipped before she could reach the top and fell on Natvarlal who was behind her. According to local police officers, Natvarlal suffered serious head injuries and was almost crushed by his wife’s weight. The couple were quickly taken to a local hospital. However, doctors declared them dead soon after they were brought in. Initial reports say the cause of death for both of them is cerebral hemorrhage. Ashish’s wife Nisha was also injured and slipped on the floor when the accident happened. She reportedly suffered injuries to her knees and legs.
A local police officer described the incident as follows.
“At around 4am, Nisha came downstairs to get some medicine for Ashish. Her in-laws also woke up and hurriedly tried to go upstairs to check his health. However, Manjula could not keep her balance and slipped. She fell on Natvarlal who was climbing behind her. They were rushed to a private hospital where both died of cerebral hemorrhage.”
The chief police investigating officer of the city, Pradhyuman Ravaiya, added, “The couple always remained anxious about their son’s health. On getting to know that he had taken ill, they tried to reach the first floor in too much hurry.”
Police officials are not suspecting any foul play in the incident and has termed it a freak accident.
While obesity is not a widespread problem in India with the country still trying to lift millions of people from abject poverty, the problem has started to raise its head in urban areas and affluent neighborhoods across the country. Indians — especially the ones living in large cities — are particularly affected by this problem owing to the arrival of various fast food options in the country. The Gujarati community, which Manjula Vithlani belonged to, also faces obesity issues.
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