Balcony collapse at SMS Hospital kills 1

Jaipur: A 40-year-old man died and another person was injured after a portion of a balcony collapsed at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital here Saturday.

Police identified the deceased as Sagar, a resident of Kekri. Another man, Babulal, also from Kekri, sustained injuries and was discharged after being administered first aid.

Officials said they were still trying to ascertain why Sagar was at the hospital and whether he was an attendant accompanying a patient or had visited the facility for some other purpose.

The incident occurred around 3pm, when a section of the balcony near the old Shushrut auditorium located beside the Charak Bhawan complex suddenly gave way, sending debris crashing down on the two men who were resting in the shade below. Both were trapped under the rubble and had to be pulled out by people present at the spot.

They were rushed to the SMS Hospital’s trauma centre, where Sagar succumbed to his injuries. Police reached the spot after being alerted by hospital staff and recorded statements of witnesses.

Officials said security guards told investigators that the two men had lain down in the shade after lunch at the time of the incident.

Police said investigations into the incident remain ongoing.