Pushpa 2 premiere show stampede: Injured boy recovering, says KIMS

Hyderabad: Thirteen-year-old Sri Tej who suffered injuries due to asphyxiation as crowds jostled at the theatre during the premiere show of actor Allu Arjun’s ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ is showing gradual improvement.

In a statement given by KIMS Hospital, they said that the boy continues to show gradual improvement in his condition. He is on ventilatory support with minimal oxygen and pressure needs. His blood circulation is well maintained without the need for any inotropes. He is tolerating tube feeds well.

“He still has intermittent fever spikes. He is responding more to pain but still is not showing signs of full return of consciousness with a mild paucity of right upper limb movements as compared to left upper limb. A repeat MRI brain with a screening of the whole spine is being planned,” said the hospital authorities.

On December 4, Sri Tej boy along with his family went to watch Pushpa 2 premiere at Sandhya Theatre in Chikkadpally. During the stampede which happened when Actor Allu Arjun came to the theatre, mother Revathi and son struggled to move or breathe as the crowd surged.

While his mother died due to the stampede, police officers managed to rescue and perform CPR on Sri Tej and admit him to a hospital.

Sandhya Film Theatre owner arrested

On Sunday, three persons including one of the owners of Sandhya Film Theatre and a manager were arrested in connection with the case registered over the death of Revathi. According to the police, a huge crowd had gathered at the theatre to watch the movie and have a glimpse of the movie’s lead actors coming to the theatre. However, there was no intimation from the side of the theatre management or the actor’s team that they would be visiting the theatre.

“The theatre management did not make any additional provisions regarding security to manage the crowd nor was there any separate entry or exit for the actor’s team though the theatre management had information about their arrival,” it said.