Doctor Dies of Cardiac Arrest During Coimbatore Car Rally

Dr. Premlal, a neurologist from Kerala, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest during the Blue Band Car Rally Championship in Coimbatore on July 27. The incident occurred during a service break in the third round of the national-level competition.


Coimbatore: The third round of the National Blue Band Car Rally Championship, organized by the Coimbatore Auto Sports Club, took a tragic turn on July 27 when Dr. Premlal, a 46-year-old neurologist from Kannur, Kerala, died of a cardiac arrest during the event.

The championship, which consists of six rounds throughout the year, saw its third round kick off near the L&T Bypass Road in Coimbatore. Coimbatore City Police Commissioner Balakrishnan inaugurated the event by waving the flag. More than 50 participants from various states took part in the competition.

Dr. Premlal, who was the head of the neurology department at the Government Hospital in Payyannur, Kannur district, participated in the rally as part of the Chettinad Sporting team. He was paired with Dr. Rishikesh for the two-day event. After completing two rounds in the morning, a 30-minute service break was announced at around 1:30 PM.

It was during this break that Dr. Premlal experienced sudden chest pain while getting out of the car. He was immediately given first aid and rushed to a nearby hospital. However, doctors at the hospital declared that he had already passed away. His body was subsequently sent to his hometown.

The untimely demise of Dr. Premlal has cast a pall of sorrow over his relatives, friends, and fellow rally participants. Known for his passion for car driving, Dr. Premlal had participated in almost all major car rallies. His wife, Dr. Smija Aravind, is also a medical professional. The couple has two children, Vishnu and Anika.

The incident has highlighted the importance of health precautions in high-stress competitive events, even for experienced participants like Dr. Premlal, who was both a medical professional and an enthusiastic rally driver.

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