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Health
Teen’s dupatta caught in bike wheel, father urges safety after near‑fatal injury
✍️ TOI City
🗓 15 Nov 2026, 07:38 AM
👁 23
Hetal Borape survived a near‑fatal strangulation when her dupatta got entangled in a two‑wheeler’s wheel in Bengaluru; her father now warns parents to secure loose clothing.
Hetal Borape, the teenage daughter of Praveen Borape, was riding pillion on a two‑wheeler in Bengaluru when her dupatta slipped into the vehicle’s rear wheel. The fabric tightened around her neck, causing a severe injury to her voice box and briefly cutting off her airway.
Emergency services rushed her to Manipal Hospital, where a team of surgeons performed a complex operation to release the trapped fabric and repair the damage. Post‑surgery, Hetal regained her ability to speak and is now recovering under medical supervision.
Speaking after the procedure, Praveen Borape appealed to parents across the city, urging them to ensure that loose garments such as dupattas, scarves or stoles are securely tucked or fastened before a child rides as a passenger. He highlighted that strangulation injuries from clothing, though uncommon, can lead to life‑threatening complications if not addressed immediately.
Health experts note that similar incidents, while rare, underscore the importance of basic safety checks on attire before riding two‑wheelers, especially for young passengers who may be less aware of the risks.
Emergency services rushed her to Manipal Hospital, where a team of surgeons performed a complex operation to release the trapped fabric and repair the damage. Post‑surgery, Hetal regained her ability to speak and is now recovering under medical supervision.
Speaking after the procedure, Praveen Borape appealed to parents across the city, urging them to ensure that loose garments such as dupattas, scarves or stoles are securely tucked or fastened before a child rides as a passenger. He highlighted that strangulation injuries from clothing, though uncommon, can lead to life‑threatening complications if not addressed immediately.
Health experts note that similar incidents, while rare, underscore the importance of basic safety checks on attire before riding two‑wheelers, especially for young passengers who may be less aware of the risks.