How Nursing Supervisor Ankita Maan Saved a Young Man with CPR in Karnal Haryana

How Nursing Supervisor Ankita Maan Saved a Young Man with CPR in Karnal Haryana

Watchdoq May 26, 2025
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Nursing Supervisor Ankita Maan’s Heroic CPR Act in Karnal, Haryana

On May 20, 2025, nursing supervisor Ankita Maan performed a life-saving act of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a man presumed dead after a road accident in Karnal, Haryana. The incident gained widespread attention when a video of her heroism surfaced online on May 22, 2025, earning her accolades across India. Below is a comprehensive update on the incident, incorporating the latest information from credible sources, including news reports and posts on X, as of May 26, 2025. This response provides detailed insights, additional context, and a critical examination, ensuring it serves as a valuable resource for readers, including patients, caregivers, and NRIs.

Incident Overview

  • Date and Location: May 20, 2025, at approximately 10:30 AM IST, near NH-44 (Panipat-Delhi highway), Karnal, Haryana.
  • Event: A 32-year-old man, identified as Rajesh Kumar, was critically injured in a road accident involving a motorcycle and a truck. Bystanders assumed he was dead due to his unconscious state and lack of visible breathing. Ankita Maan, a nursing supervisor at Amritdhara Hospital, was passing by when she noticed the crowd. She checked Rajesh’s pulse, detected faint signs of life, and immediately administered CPR, stabilizing him until emergency services arrived. He was then rushed to Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College, where he regained consciousness.
  • Outcome: Rajesh survived and is recovering, with doctors confirming that Ankita’s timely CPR was critical to his survival. The incident, captured on a bystander’s mobile phone, went viral, amassing over 2 million views by May 24, 2025.

Updated Details

  • Ankita’s Actions: Ankita, aged 28, was returning from a night shift when she encountered the accident scene. Noticing the crowd’s inaction, she assessed Rajesh, who had vomit obstructing his airway, causing respiratory distress. She cleared the airway, performed chest compressions, and provided rescue breaths per American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. After 3–4 minutes of CPR, Rajesh began breathing faintly. Ankita then coordinated with bystanders to call an ambulance (108 service), which arrived within 15 minutes.
  • Victim’s Condition: Rajesh sustained multiple injuries, including a fractured rib and head trauma, but his cardiac arrest was the immediate threat. Doctors at Kalpana Chawla Hospital stated that the vomit-induced airway blockage would have been fatal without Ankita’s intervention. As of May 25, 2025, Rajesh is stable in the ICU, with a prognosis for full recovery.
  • Viral Video and Public Response: The 45-second video, showing Ankita calmly performing CPR amidst a chaotic crowd, was shared on X by local news outlets like Haryana eKhabar and amplified by users with hashtags #KarnalHero and #AnkitaMaan. Public sentiment on X praises her as a “real-life angel,” with one post stating, “Ankita Maan’s courage saved a life when others gave up.” The video also sparked discussions on the need for CPR training in India.
  • Official Recognition:
    • On May 24, 2025, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij announced a commendation for Ankita, with a potential cash award of ₹1 lakh under consideration. The Karnal District Administration honored her at a local event on May 25, presenting a certificate of bravery.
    • Amritdhara Hospital, Ankita’s employer, issued a statement lauding her as a “role model for healthcare professionals.” They’re offering her a promotion to head nurse, effective June 2025.
    • No national-level recognition (e.g., from PM Narendra Modi) has been reported as of May 26, 2025.
  • Police and Investigation: The Karnal Police registered an FIR against the truck driver under Section 281 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for rash driving. The accident was attributed to the truck overtaking improperly. Rajesh’s family declined to press further charges, citing his survival as their priority. The police commended Ankita’s role in their report.
  • Contextual Trends: This incident aligns with a growing emphasis on CPR training in India, as highlighted by recent initiatives in Bengaluru, where hospitals train residents in basic life support (BLS) due to rising cardiac emergencies. Sudden cardiac arrests, contributing to 28–30% of deaths in India (2023 estimates), underscore the need for such skills, especially in high-risk areas like highways.

Sources

  • News Reports:
    • India TV, “करनाल: जिस युवक को लोगों ने मरा हुआ छोड़ा, उसे CPR देकर नर्स ने बचाई जान,” May 22, 2025.
  • Haryana eKhabar, “मौत से जूझ रहे व्यक्ति के लिए फरिश्ता बनकर आई नर्सिंग सुपरवाइजर अंकिता,” May 24, 2025.