Kerala MLA Uma Thomas In ICU After 15-Ft Fall At Kochi Stadium

Uma Thomas, a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, is on ventilator support after she fell 15 feet from the gallery of a sports stadium in Kochi on December 29. The 58-year-old Congress leader has reportedly suffered multiple fractures, injuries on her head and spine, and internal bleeding in the lungs, according to a medical bulletin released by the hospital, accessed by the Press Trust of India. Party officials stated there was limited space between the front-row seats and the edge of the gallery, which was 'barricaded' using a ribbon. Thomas reportedly lost balance and fell on the concrete ground below.

What Happened?

According to PTI, Thomas was at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi for an event called Mridanga Naadam, Bharatanatyam Programme, where 12,000 dancers had gathered to set a Guinness World Record supported by the Kerala Culture Affairs Ministry. She fell 15 feet below as there was allegedly limited space at the edge of the VIP gallery.

Visitors reportedly rushed Thomas, who was unconscious and bleeding profusely, to a private hospital, where she is now in the ICU. Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan told the Asian News International, "She has sustained a head injury and multiple fractures. She needs to be monitored for the next 24 hours. We are providing all the medical help."

According to a medical bulletin released by the hospital, although Thomas' vital signs are improving, the lung injury is reportedly slightly worse, doctors said. She will stay on a ventilator for a few more days, the medical team added. A CT scan conducted on December 30 revealed that the head injury had not worsened, and there was no increase in internal bleeding.

Kerala Health Minister Veena George and Industries Minister P Rajeeve visited the hospital. Thomas is being treated by a Health Department team reportedly led by Dr Jayakumar, Superintendent of Kottayam Medical College, and includes specialists from Kottayam Government Medical College and Ernakulam Government Medical College.