Travelling the extra mile to help victims

Six hearse drivers will deliver the bodies of accident victims to Odisha - Photo:B.Jothi Ramalingam

On Monday, six hearse drivers, who drove into the city from various districts, embarked on a nearly 2,000-kilometre journey to Odisha to hand over the bodies of victims of the Moulivakkam building collapse to their family members.

This is the first time the government’s free hearse service vehicles will travel such a distance. Three of the six drivers were seen at the Government Royapettah Hospital (GRH) on Monday evening. Two of them – V. Prabhu and B. Duraimurugan — had arrived from Arupukkotai in Virudhunagar district and D. Senthil Kumar had come from Thanjavur.

None of them know Hindi or even English; yet, they are happy to be doing such a service. “We won’t be seeing our families for the next few weeks. None of us have been to Odisha. Yet, this is a small contribution from our side to help the families of the victims. After delivering the bodies, we will help the families in any manner possible,” said Mr. Prabhu.

The three have been driving the vans for the past two years. “In Arupukkotai, Prabhu and I used to help accident victims. We took up this job so that we can serve the people. Initially, I was frightened to transport dead bodies alone. Now I am used to it. Our families are also supportive,” said Mr. Duraimurugan.

A total of 13 persons were brought to GRH on Sunday and Monday of which four were from Odisha. “We have transported bodies to Andhra Pradesh after the Chennai Central blast. On an average, we transport 35 bodies,” said an official supervising the hearse service in Chennai.

Officials solve communication problems

As many of the injured and missing persons are from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, communication has been an obstacle. Officials have taken steps to enable family members of the injured to feel at home.

“In case any relative wants some information regarding treatment or wants to visit him/her in the ward, we are asking staff familiar with Telugu to assist them. Fortunately, some of our doctors and nurses know Telugu,” an official of the Health Department said.

The help desk set up by the government at SRMC also has Telugu-speaking staff. Specific announcements for relatives through the public address system are also in Telugu.