MP steps in to help family of care worker left in coma after horror incident

An MP has stepped in to help speed up visas for the parents of a care worker severely injured in a horrific incident in Salford[1]. Preeti Dhunna, 30, was hit by a car as she crossed a road to catch a bus. Preeti, who looks after residents with dementia in a care home, is in an induced coma in intensive care in Salford Royal Hospital following the crash on Cromwell Road on Saturday (December 23).

Her family are desperately trying to cut through protocol so her parents can get visas and fly from India to be at her bedside. Now veteran Blackley[2] and Broughton MP, Graham Stringer, is to assist the family.

Ms Dhunna's brother, Nikhil, said trying to get visas had been difficult due to the festive period.

But he added: "My cousin in India is now compiling a visa application for my parents and I have a letter from ICU at Salford Royal explaining the urgency of the situation. The file and letter will be sent to the MP tomorrow." Mr Stringer told the Manchester Evening News he was willing to help the family. "I will speak to the Home Office and usually in a genuine emergency like this they will be good in getting things sorted."

The driver of the vehicle involved, a 27-year-old man, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and drug driving offences. He has since been bailed.

Preeti was in the process of moving home from Cheetham Hill[5] to Salford when the incident happened.

Nikhil, who lives in Sheffield but has been at his sister's bedside, said: "I have spoken to the Immigration department but I have been put through to a call centre when the situation is urgent. Preeti is having her pelvic and ankle surgery today which I understand could be quite difficult. She is still in an induced coma and her heart rate yesterday was 135 which is worrying."

He added: "When the accident happened she was moving house and had a luggage bag she was wheeling across the road but it was completely empty and very light." He said she suffered a broken ankle, broken pelvis, and a bleed on the brain. "I am Preeti's younger brother and I also have a younger brother. But I am the only one of family living in the UK as well," Nikhil said.

"Our parents live in the Punjab in northern India. My dad is 60 and my mum 54, they are okay to travel and desperate to be with Preeti."

Preeti's mother, Ranji, and father, Sukhwinder Kumar, have been dealt the devastating blow of their daughter's injuries while coping with another family crisis. "My dad has had bladder cancer but has received treatment for it.

My worry is that he is so upset by this, crying, sobbing, it will hinder his recovery," said Nikhil. A Home Office spokesperson said Preeti's parents needed to apply for a visit visa as the Visitor Application Centre (VAC) in the country remains open. They added they can alert the VAC to the compassionate circumstances of the case.

In a statement on Christmas[6] Eve, GMP said Preeti was taken to hospital with 'potentially life-changing' injuries after the crash involving a black Volkswagen Golf R. Officers from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit appealed for witnesses or anyone with dashcam, mobile, CCTV or doorbell camera footage to come forward. Information can be shared calling 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 2269 of 23/12/2023.

You can also make a report via the website www.gmp.police.uk[7].

References

1. ^ Salford (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
2. ^ Blackley (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
3. ^ Tragedy as 'ray of light' mum dies aged 35 at Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
4. ^ 'The last thing I remember is being on the M60 - then my life changed forever' (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
5. ^ Cheetham Hill (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ Christmas (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
7. ^ www.gmp.police.uk (www.gmp.police.uk)