Bengaluru: A 25-year-old engineer, Sandeep, who accidentally fell into a pit of a steel factory in Ballari and was exposed to toxic chemicals and gases, was airlifted in an helicopter ambulance from Ballari to Narayana Health City in Bengaluru on Saturday.

He had suffered severe respiratory problems, but his condition was stable.

This is the first time that a patient has been transported in a fully-equipped air ambulance from one city to another. The service from Aviators Air Rescue was launched in Bengaluru.

Accident during inspection

Working for a Belagavi-based company that maintains the gas lines of JSW Steel Melt Shop in Ballari, Mr. Sandeep fell into a pit during inspection. He was immediately shifted to Narayana Health’s Jindal Sanjeevini Hospital in Ballari.

However, as Mr. Sandeep required advanced emergency treatment and had to be shifted to Narayana Health City in Bengaluru, the hospital officials arranged for the air ambulance.

First for ambulance firm

According to doctors, who accompanied him to the hospital in Bengaluru, the patient was kept in a state of sedation while being airlifted.

“The air ambulance is exclusively for patients who require emergency medical treatment. This is the first case in the country that the air ambulance company has handled since its launch a few months ago,” said Joseph Pasanga from the hospital.

Admitted in medical ICU

As Mr. Sandeep was on official visit, he was not accompanied by his family while being airlifted. He was taken to the medical emergency in Narayana Health City, and was admitted in the medical ICU. Doctors and paramedical staff are attending to him, an official release said.