In a remarkable display of composure, medical expertise, and duty, Army medic Sepoy (Ambulance Assistant) Sunil of the 456 Field Hospital saved the life of an eight-month-old infant who suffered respiratory arrest onboard the Rajdhani Express on October 13, 2025.
The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the S4 coach of the train en route to Dibrugarh, when the infant suddenly began struggling to breathe and soon became unresponsive. Panic spread quickly among passengers as the baby’s mother, overwhelmed by shock, fainted, believing her child had died.
Sepoy Sunil, who was travelling in the same coach while returning from leave, immediately rushed to assess the emergency. Maintaining complete composure, he examined the infant and confirmed the absence of both pulse and breathing — a clear indication of respiratory arrest. Recognizing the urgency, he placed the baby on a flat surface and began administering paediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), employing two-finger chest compressions followed by mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
After two cycles of CPR, the infant began to regain signs of life, displaying faint movement and breathing. Sunil continued monitoring the child until the baby stabilized, then coordinated with the train staff and Railway Police to ensure swift evacuation at Rangiya station for further medical attention.
His prompt and skillful response averted a tragedy in a situation where no medical facility was immediately available. The Indian Army later commended his presence of mind, clinical expertise, and unwavering dedication to service. Sepoy (Ambulance Assistant) Sunil’s calm, decisive, and technically precise intervention stands as a shining example of how professional readiness and humanitarian commitment can make the difference between life and death—even in the most unexpected of circumstances.
