Congress MLA Uma Thomas was hospitalised with serious injuries on Sunday evening after she fell from a 20-foot-high pavilion at Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.
The Thrikkakkara MLA was walking to the VIP pavilion area when she tripped and fell to a concrete platform around 6 pm. According to reports, an iron pipe, too, fell on her, causing a serious head injury.
Thomas was immediately rushed to a nearby private multi-speciality hospital where she was put on a ventilator.
According to a late-night medical bulletin, injuries were found on the MLA's head and the spinal cord. Due to the fractures sustained on the face and ribs, there is internal bleeding in the lungs, it added.
The hospital authorities confirmed that the MLA had sustained injuries in her head and face, but said the gravity of the wounds could be assessed only after a detailed scanning.
Health Minister Veena George said that an expert medical team would assess the health condition of Thomas. The team, led by Kottayam Medical College Superintendent Dr Jayakumar, includes specialists from Kottayam Government Medical College and Ernakulam Government Medical College, along with the hospital's existing medical board.
Thomas had arrived at the stadium to attend the event 'Mridanga Naadam' where approximately 12,000 dancers, including actor-dancer Divya Unni, performed Bharatanatyam in a bid for a Guinness World Record.
Culture Affairs Minister Saji Cherian was scheduled to inaugurate the cultural event.
Congress demands probe
The opposition Congress alleged there were no safety measures in place at the stadium and questioned how the police gave permission for the event.
The party demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
Congress MP Hibi Eden alleged that there was insufficient barricading in the VIP gallery, with only a ribbon marking the edge.
