A 70-year-old Indian man presumed dead began breathing again just as his family prepared for his funeral, after mourners had gathered and news of his passing had spread online
A man came back from the dead at his own funeral, sparking astonished reactions from his grieving family.
A 70-year-old man, believed to be dead, stunned his family after he began breathing again, even as funeral preparations were already in progress. Makhanlal Vaid, a resident of Indore, India, had suffered a brain haemorrhage and was placed on life support.
When his condition deteriorated further, doctors removed him from the machines, prompting his family to assume he had passed away and bring him home. To their astonishment, he started breathing again about 30 minutes later.
The remarkable incident occurred after news of his death had already circulated on social media and mourners had assembled for the funeral, the Daily Mail reported. His son described the event as “a miracle”, sharing online: “We are praying for my father’s speedy recovery.”
Such a bizarre phenomenon has occurred before. Earlier this year, an 88-year-old woman narrowly avoided being buried alive after she “woke up” while funeral workers were preparing her body, believing she had already passed away.
The unsettling incident took place in Pilsen, Czechia, when the woman appeared unresponsive as her partner tried to rouse her one morning. Alarmed, he contacted emergency services, but according to Czech news outlet Blesk, the coroner later declared her dead.
After what was thought to be her death, funeral staff began getting her body ready for burial. To their utter shock, they discovered she was not deceased but “astoundingly very much alive”. Reports differ on exactly how her signs of life were detected, some say she opened her eyes inside the coffin, while others claim it was her breathing that alerted the undertakers.
The funeral workers immediately called for help, and after verifying her condition, she was quickly transported to the hospital, where she is now recovering. Police subsequently launched an investigation into how such a serious mistake occurred, with speculation suggesting the coroner may have failed to provide proper care, leading to this near-tragic event.
The coroner’s employer expressed regret over the incident and has promised “stark consequences for the mistake”, though specific actions have not been disclosed. Ambulance spokesperson Martin Štěpán explained, “Our operations centre received a call in the early morning hours, during which the operator proceeded in accordance with the valid recommendations of the professional society and the methodology for situations related to the death of a patient.
“Following this procedure, the entire incident was handed over to the coroner.” He added: “The woman’s basic life functions were ensured on site and she was subsequently transported to a medical facility.”
Police spokeswoman Michaela Raindlová confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, “We are examining the circumstances of the case. The legal qualification has not yet been determined.”
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