Thrissur: Three weeks ago, Thrissur City Women’s Station House Officer (SHO) Aparna Lavakumar became an internet sensation after a video showed her sprinting ahead of an ambulance to clear a clogged junction in the city. But it has now emerged that the ambulance she cleared the way for was not carrying anyone. 

The Motor Vehicles Department has taken action against the driver after an investigation revealed that he had no patient inside and was in fact using his mobile phone to record visuals while driving. Thrissur Motor Vehicle Inspector P V Biju confirmed that the viral clip clearly showed the driver handling a phone behind the wheel. A fine of ₹250 was imposed.

Officials also noted that the driver should have informed SHO Aparna that the ambulance was not carrying a patient when she stepped in to create a path through the traffic.

The viral moment
The incident occurred at Ashwini Junction, Kolothumpadam, Thrissur. Aparna, who was travelling in a Pink Police vehicle, spotted the ambulance stuck in a severe traffic jam. Believing that a critically ill patient was inside, she quickly jumped out, ran ahead of the ambulance and directed vehicles to clear the way. She managed to carve out a path for the ambulance before returning to her vehicle.

The footage, captured by the ambulance crew and later widely circulated online, was even reposted by the Kerala Police’s official handles.

Aparna, who joined the Kerala Police in 2002, is no stranger to public admiration. In 2008, as a woman constable at Ollur Police Station, she removed three gold bangles from her own hand to help a family pay hospital dues and release a woman’s body. In 2019, as a Senior Civil Police Officer at the Thrissur Rural Women’s Police Station, she donated her hair to make wigs for cancer patients. Both acts drew nationwide praise.