Featured Image Credit: Viral Press
Topics: Health, India, World News
Poppy Bilderbeck
A cremation team certainly had the shock of their lives when a man woke up just moments before he was set to be turned into ashes.
On Thursday (November 21), a 45-year-old man named Rohitash was set to be put on a pyre in Jhunjhunu City in Rajasthan in northwestern India.
However, moments before he was set to be cremated, he began showing signs he definitely wasn't dead.
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The previous day, Rohitash had been transferred from a local shelter to Rajkiya Bhagwan Das Khetan (BDK) hospital in critical condition and was later declared dead.
Jhunjhunu Police Superintendent Sharad Chouodhary said: "The man did not have any relatives present when he initially arrived at the hospital.
"His condition worsened and there were no signs of life."
Declared dead, Rohitash was then reportedly put in a cold mortuary for several hours before being placed on a pyre - which is when he started exhibiting signs he should certainly not be about to be burned to ashes.
It's reported staff noticed Rohitash was still breathing and footage reveals him wrapped up in blankets, looking very much unwell but still alive, onlookers looking shell-shocked.
He was immediately rushed to the emergency department of BDK Hospital and underwent emergency treatment.
Despite medical professionals' best efforts, Rhoitash passed away on the morning of November 22.
Jhunjhunu Police Superintendent Chouodhary alleges doctors failed to perform a post-mortem examination on the patient.
It's reported three doctors involved in the patient's care and the principal medical officer have since been suspended over the incident.
And an investigation is still said to be taking place looking into the alleged negligence.
While this may seem rare, unfortunately it's not the first time someone has woken up just before they're about to be cremated.
Bujji Aamma from Berhampur, India, was involved in a house fire in February earlier this year and sustained 'severe injuries' to half of her body.
Several days later, it was believed she had passed away and it was arranged for her to be taken to a crematorium.
However, while in the hearse, a local who was accompanying Aamma realized she was waking up - the 52-year-old opening her eyes.
The crematorium stated it doesn't require locals to provide a death certificate to perform the last rites of a family member.
So it's just as well she woke up when she did, the hearse subsequently turning around and returning Aamma back home.