Kerala Congress MLA in critical condition after falling 15 ft from VIP gallery at Kochi Stadium

Congress MLA from Kerala’s Thrikkakara, Uma Thomas, is in critical condition after falling from the VIP gallery at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi on Sunday evening. Thomas had arrived at the stadium to attend the Mridanga Naadam Bharatanatyam event, where around 12,000 dancers performed in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest Bharatanatyam performance. The incident occurred when she fell approximately 15 feet from the gallery, landing on the concrete floor below. Volunteers and bystanders quickly rushed her to a nearby private hospital.

At the hospital, doctors confirmed that Thomas had sustained severe injuries, including head trauma, fractures to her face and ribs, and damage to her spinal cord. Internal bleeding in her lungs was also reported due to the fractures. As a result of the critical nature of her injuries, Thomas was placed on ventilator support. The hospital’s medical team stated that she requires constant monitoring, and her condition remains serious. The hospital did not release further details on her prognosis.

Health Minister Veena George and Industries Minister P Rajeeve visited the hospital soon after the incident. They assured the public that an expert medical team from the Health Department, led by Dr. Jayakumar from Kottayam Medical College, would join the hospital’s doctors to assist in her treatment. The team, which includes specialists from Kottayam and Ernakulam Government Medical Colleges, is overseeing her care. Kerala Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, who visited the hospital, said that she will need to be monitored closely for the next 24 hours.

The fall occurred during the Mridanga Naadam event, which was part of a cultural program aiming to set a Guinness World Record. Congress sources said that the gallery where Thomas was seated had limited space between the front row seats and the edge, which was barricaded by a ribbon. This arrangement may have contributed to her fall. Visuals from the scene show bystanders lifting the unconscious MLA and rushing her to medical care, but no further information has been provided about the exact circumstances of the fall.

Kochi City Police Commissioner Putta Vimaladitya visited the stadium to inspect the site of the incident. The police have confirmed that they will register a case to investigate the security lapses that may have led to the fall. Authorities have stated that they will conduct a thorough review of the stadium’s safety measures, especially regarding the arrangement of seating and barricades in the VIP gallery. The outcome of this investigation is awaited.