It may sound like something out of a story, but the incident is real. On Indian roads, potholes are often blamed for accidents, injuries and even fatalities. However, in a rare and unexpected turn of events, a pothole reportedly helped save a woman’s life in Uttar Pradesh. Vineeta Shukla had been declared brain-dead by doctors and was discharged from a hospital in Bareilly. But while the ambulance was taking her home, it reportedly hit a large pothole on the Bareilly–Haridwar highway, after which she suddenly regained consciousness.

After being declared dead

On February 22, patient Vineeta Shukla, who is a 50-year-old senior assistant in the Pilibhit judicial courts’ copy department. She passed away at home. Immediately, she was sent to the Bareilly hospital for treatment. Her condition was extremely serious according to the physicians. Veenita’s brain signals failed, and she was totally dead, according to the doctors. Her GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) score was 3, which is normally 15.

ALSO READ | Why India used the Essential Commodities Act to control fuel supply during the West Asia crisis | Explained

Her health was rapidly deteriorating, and the doctor saw mydriasis, a disorder that makes her eyes widen. Under these circumstances, doctors allegedly found the patient brain-dead and released her from the hospital, leaving her family with little chance of life.

How the miracle happened

As the hospital declared her dead, Veenita’s husband, Kuldeep Kumar Shukla, told family members to prepare for her last rituals, and he got ready to take her home. Cause he believed that there were no chances of recovery. However, the ambulance struck a big pothole, which was located near Hafizganj. While it was driving on the NH-74, Bareilly Haridwar National Highway.

ALSO READ | Mystery deaths in North Delhi: Two men found dead inside a parked car

The ambulance jerked strongly as a result of the forceful impact. The shock seems to bring back his wife. Vineeta showed symptoms of being conscious and was breathing normally right after the impact. Kuldeep called his family right away, stunned and happier, and requested them to put off the cremation arrangements. Later, Vineeta was taken to Neurocity Hospital in Pilibhit for further care after the unexpected development. The hospital neurosurgeon, Dr. Rakesh Singh, checked her reports and conducted lots of testing. Her previous disease may have been worsened by the major neurotoxins that were found in her circulation and veins. Vineeta had been in the hospital for two weeks receiving critical treatment. Her spouse claims that she finally recovered impressively and went back home.

According to Kuldeep, his wife has "conquered death" and is currently able to communicate and engage with everyone once more, changing what seemed to be a devastating ending into what many people consider somewhat of a miracle.