Pothole shock: ‘Brain-dead’ UP woman starts breathing again

A 50-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh, Vineeta Shukla, was declared brain-dead by doctors at a Bareilly hospital after she showed almost no signs of life. With little hope left, her family began bringing her home in an ambulance after being told survival chances were extremely slim.

On February 24, Vineeta’s husband Kuldeep Kumar Shukla was taking her back home along the Bareilly-Haridwar NH-74. The highway stretch was riddled with potholes, causing repeated jolts to the ambulance as it moved along the damaged road.

Near Hafizganj, the ambulance struck a deep pothole, causing a sudden and powerful jerk. Moments later, something astonishing happened — Vineeta began breathing normally again, leaving her husband shocked and unsure of what had just occurred.

Kuldeep said the change was immediate after the violent jolt. Realising his wife was breathing again, he quickly alerted relatives and stopped any preparations they had begun after doctors earlier said survival chances were almost none.

Sensing hope, Kuldeep rushed Vineeta to Neurocity Hospital in Pilibhit, where doctors provided critical treatment and closely monitored her condition to stabilise her after the unexpected revival during the ambulance journey.

After receiving medical care for several days, Vineeta returned home on Monday. According to her husband, she is now awake and speaking with family members — a turnaround he described as nothing short of a miracle.