Pune : Marathon Runner’s Organs Save Four After Fatal Road Accident

Pune, 31st July 2026: The family of a 37-year-old marathon runner who died after sustaining severe head injuries in a road accident has donated his organs, helping save the lives of four patients awaiting transplants.

Uday Birmal was on his routine morning run on July 19 when he was allegedly hit by an autorickshaw in Pune. He was admitted to Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital with critical head injuries and was declared brain dead after intensive treatment failed.

Following the family’s consent, doctors retrieved his heart, liver and both kidneys for transplantation. The heart was transported to a hospital in Mumbai through a green corridor facilitated by Pune Police. His liver and one kidney were transplanted at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, while the second kidney was allocated to another hospital in Pune through Maharashtra’s organ-sharing network.

Hospital officials said the successful transplants were made possible through coordination between transplant teams, the police and emergency services, ensuring the organs reached recipients within the required time.

Birmal was a familiar face in Pune’s running community and regularly participated in marathon events. His death has drawn tributes from fellow runners, while his family’s decision to donate his organs has been hailed as a life-saving gesture that benefited four patients.