Surat: A lightning strike that claimed the life of a 26-year-old Surat man has given a second chance to at least five patients awaiting transplants. Tarun Maru was declared brain-dead after being hit by lightning on Dumas beach. His family chose to donate his organs, transforming a devastating loss into a story of hope.Maru, a resident of Deen Dayal Society near Palanpur Patiya in Rander, had suffered critical injuries after being struck by lightning on July 6.A sales representative at a club and resort, Tarun had gone to the beach around 5.30pm and was taking photographs and recording videos when lightning struck him at about 7.30pm.He collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest. His friend, Manthan Singh, immediately contacted the 108 emergency service. Paramedics rushed to the spot, initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shifted him to Sunshine Global Hospital.After 20 minutes of CPR, doctors succeeded in restoring his heartbeat and placed him on advanced life support. However, a CT scan later revealed severe brain damage from prolonged oxygen deprivation during the cardiac arrest.Despite intensive treatment, Tarun did not recover. On July 9, a medical board comprising Dr Anuj Clark, Dr Kalsariya, neurophysician Dr Ravi Vaityani and hospital administrator Dr Dipen Patel declared him brain-dead.Amid their grief, Tarun’s family agreed to donate his organs following counselling and support from Donate Life, an NGO that promotes organ donation awareness.The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) coordinated the allocation of his liver and kidneys to the Institute of Kidney Diseases and Research Centre (IKDRC) in Ahmedabad, where they will be transplanted into patients awaiting organs. His corneas were donated to Lok Drishti Eye Bank and will help restore vision to two visually impaired persons.To ensure the organs reached their destination without delay, Surat City police created a green corridor from Sunshine Global Hospital to the railway station. Police officials said the city has now facilitated 143 green corridors for the transport of donated organs. Tarun’s parents, Raju and Jaya Maru, ensured that his legacy will live on through the lives of others.
