A Zomato delivery rider injured in a hit-and-run case has been battling for life for the past one week after suffering multiple fractures and serious injuries. His family is struggling to arrange funds for his treatment at a private hospital.
Surender, who belongs to a poor family, met with the accident on the Dabra Chowk flyover in Hisar around 1.30 am on May 15 when a black Scorpio SUV allegedly rammed into two bikers — both coincidentally working as Zomato delivery riders.
Another rider, Sachin, a resident of Patel Nagar and also employed with Zomato, died on the spot, while Surender sustained multiple injuries and was rushed to hospital.
Police said the Scorpio driver was allegedly driving recklessly and dragged one of the motorcycles for nearly 100 metres before also hitting another biker.
Anup Singh, in-charge of the Police Lines Area (PLA) police post, said the accused driver, identified as Parul, had been arrested and sent to jail.
“She was driving the SUV without a driving licence and has been booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder,” he said.
Shockingly, the SUV driver allegedly fled the scene, leaving both victims unattended. After some time, a police vehicle reached the spot and shifted them to hospital, where Sachin was declared dead while Surender remained critical and bedridden.
Surender’s father-in-law, Ashok Samrat, who earns his livelihood by performing magic shows, said the family had already spent nearly Rs 4 lakh on treatment.
“I can make people laugh and amaze them with magic tricks, but I do not know any trick to save my son-in-law, who is lying on the hospital bed,” he said.
“With no financial support, it has become extremely difficult to pay the bills. The medical expenses are around Rs 20,000 per day,” he added.
Doctors have reportedly given little hope for Surender’s survival, leaving the family devastated.
Ashok said Surender lived in a rented house in Azad Nagar along with his wife and two children, who study in Class VI.
“Surender used to work for more than 12 hours a day to support his family. He had no other source of income,” he said.
According to the family, Surender suffered multiple fractures, including three fractures in one leg, besides injuries to his shoulder, face, spinal cord, ribs and several other parts of the body.
“We do not know what to do next. An official from Zomato, who identified himself as Anil, visited the hospital, but we have not received any financial support from the company so far,” Ashok alleged.
He added that apart from Rs 11,000 provided by a social organisation, the family had not received any assistance from the administration.