Bengaluru: For Praveen Borape, the sound of his 13-year-old daughter Hetal speaking again is nothing short of a miracle. After months of uncertainty, the Pune-based family finally has reason to celebrate. But the ordeal has also left Praveen with an urgent message for fellow parents: Before taking your daughter on a two-wheeler, make sure her dupatta and other loose clothing are properly secured.In May 2025, Hetal was travelling with her father on a two-wheeler to visit her uncle when her dupatta got caught in the vehicle’s rear wheel. Within moments, the fabric tightened around her neck, strangulating her and causing severe injuries to her voice box and windpipe. “Her dupatta got stuck in the wheel and, before we knew it, it was wrapped around her neck and strangulating her. We were in shock and rushed her to a nearby hospital for treatment. But my wife and I were worried whether our daughter would ever be able to speak again,” Praveen recalled.In May 2026, the family approached Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, Bengaluru, where doctors identified the extensive damage to her airway and voice box. Dr EV Raman, lead consultant, Children’s Airway and Swallowing Centre, ENT, said the strangulation had severely damaged Hetal’s larynx and windpipe, requiring complex surgical intervention.The medical team performed a procedure called laryngotracheoplasty, in which the narrowed and damaged portion of the airway was removed and the healthy ends were rejoined. A stent was placed to keep the reconstructed airway open, while a tracheostomy tube helped Hetal breathe during her recovery. The stent was to remain in place for six to 12 weeks before removal.Dr Raman cautioned that strangulation injuries caused by loose garments getting caught in moving vehicle wheels can have devastating consequences. “They can also leave behind wounds that heal poorly. Strangulation injuries can damage the voice box and airway, and in some cases, can be fatal. There is also a risk of blood entering the lungs. Reconstructing the damaged area requires extremely complex surgeries. These procedures are expensive and are performed at very few centres. This is why people need to be careful,” he said.Following surgery and subsequent medical follow-ups, Hetal regained her ability to speak and breathe independently. “Luckily, my daughter is healthy today. I urge parents to ensure that their children’s dupattas and other loose clothing are secured before taking them on two-wheelers,” he said.
