Shumi Khatun, an eight-year-old girl who had to have her arm amputated after being grievously injured when a truck hit her in the Bottola area of Bogura’s Sherpur upazila, has been declared out of danger by doctors.
Assistant Director of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Dr Nirmalendu Chowdhury made the announcement at a press briefing on Monday afternoon.
The child’s uncle Badshah Khan has filed a case against the unknown driver of the truck with the local police station.
Dr Nirmalendu said at the press briefing: “In the accident, Shumi lost a lot of blood and her left arm was dismembered. She also suffered severe trauma to her right arm and head. Her right hand is undergoing treatment, and will be operated on in a few days.
Papia, an intern at the hospital who donated blood to the child said: “The hospital is providing treatment and other facilities for the child. Hopefully, she will be able to go home in about three weeks.
Dr Rezaul Islam Jewel, Assistant Director ATM Nuruzzaman, and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Naresh Kumar Ray were also present at the press briefing.
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Upon visiting Shumi at the hospital, this reporter found her suffering from acute pain in what remains of her left arm, with her mother Mariam Begum trying to comfort the unfortunate child while in tears. When asked if she wants the truck driver and helper responsible for her child’s injuries, she remained silent.
Sherpur Police Station OC Bulbul Islam told reporters: “The owner of the truck is a local labour leader, and has provided Tk13,000 to the family of the stricken child for her treatment. This is why the family has been unwilling to file a case. Nevertheless, the child’s uncle has filed a case for reckless driving and vehicular assault against the anonymous driver. We are trying to identify and arrest the suspect.”
Sources said Shumi is a student of Class I at the local BRAC School. She got out of the house with her father at around 1pm on Sunday to attend an invitation at a relative’s house.
When they reached the Bottola area, Shumi tried to cross the highway by herself, and was hit by a truck on the way to Dhaka from Panchagarh. The impact left her left arm dismembered and the rest of her body badly injured.
The driver and helper of the truck abandoned it away from the site of the accident.
Locals rushed Shumi to Sherpur upazila health complex, where doctors were forced to amputate her left arm. Subsequently, she was moved to Bogura Shahid Ziaur Rahman Medical College at around 5pm.
According to Bogura District Administrator Mohammad Nur-e-Alam Siddiqui, all necessary steps have been taken to ensure the proper treatment of the injured child, and Zila Parishad Panel Chairman Sultan Mahmud Khan Rony supported the statement.