A chaotic situation unfolded on the premises of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, when a young patient climbed an overhead water storage structure within the facility grounds. The individual stayed atop the elevated tank for approximately 30 minutes, drawing intense concern from patients, attendants, and medical staff. Local police units along with fire and rescue personnel were rushed to the location to secure the area and bring him down safely. However, before emergency personnel could conclude the rescue operation, the young man leapt from the structure. He suffered extensive physical injuries from the impact and was immediately wheeled into the trauma casualty ward, where attending doctors described his clinical condition as extremely critical.
Identity and Location of the Incident
The injured youth was identified as Rajesh Parida, a resident of Jajpur Town. He had managed to scale the overhead water reservoir situated near the psychiatry department inside the extensive hospital campus. The sight of a person perched precariously at that height triggered immediate alarm across the compound. Hospital authorities promptly notified emergency services, prompting fire brigade specialists and law enforcement teams to reach the spot. Rescue personnel attempted to establish communication with Rajesh, urging him repeatedly to step back from the edge and descend through the safety stairs while teams prepared ground-level rescue measures.
Tragic Leap Midst Rescue Negotiations
Throughout the standoff, Rajesh reportedly expressed intentions to jump off the ledge. Emergency responders tried to distract him and close the distance to execute a safe intervention. Before the personnel could reach him or secure a safety net below, he jumped off the high structure. The fall resulted in severe trauma across his body, with multiple fractures and deep internal injuries affecting his head, chest, arms, and legs. Medical teams on standby immediately rushed him to the SCB trauma casualty wing for urgent resuscitation. A specialized panel of physicians and surgeons was assigned to monitor his condition around the clock. The incident created palpable distress and tension across the hospital grounds for several hours.
Prior Attempt in Jajpur Town
Medical background details indicate that Rajesh had been transported from Jajpur Town to SCB Medical College by his parents just a day prior to this incident. Before arriving in Cuttack, he had engaged in similar erratic behavior by climbing onto the roof of a house in Jajpur Town, where he had also attempted to leap. Alarmed by his actions, his family sought urgent specialist intervention at the state tertiary hospital. On their initial arrival, he was admitted to the trauma casualty department at approximately 12:05 PM for an evaluation. After initial assessments, medical officers advised his family to seek a detailed consultation at the outpatient wing of the psychiatry department.
Waiting for the Psychiatric OPD Consultation
According to family statements, Rajesh was standing near a temple located adjacent to the overhead water tank on Monday morning alongside his parents. The family was waiting for their turn to consult the specialists at the psychiatry outpatient department. During this waiting period, Rajesh abruptly broke away from his parents, sprinted directly toward the water tank, and scaled the access ladders before anyone could intervene. Both his family and nearby bystanders shouted and pleaded with him to come down unharmed, but their appeals went unanswered. Moments later, he plunged from the structure, sustaining life-threatening injuries. Treatment continues at SCB Medical College and Hospital as doctors battle to stabilize him.
