Mayurbhanj, Aug. 23 -- A pregnant woman in labour had to be carried for nearly seven kilometres on an ambulance stretcher through rivers and streams after emergency responders found that there was no motorable road connecting her remote village to the main road, officials said.

The incident took place in Anlakanta village under Dudhiani panchayat of Karanjia block, where Sumitra Shundhi, who was experiencing labour pains, needed to be taken to hospital for delivery care.

The 108 ambulance team reached the area but was unable to take the vehicle to the woman's location due to the absence of road connectivity. With no other means of transporting her, the ambulance staff decided to carry her on the stretcher on foot.

The team comprising a...