Turkish man awakes in coffin before dying again, family calls for justice
This illustration depicts a coffin partially buried in the ground, surrounded by soil. (Photo via Popular Science)
The family of Halit Baysu, a man mistakenly declared dead in Istanbul’s Fatih district, is speaking out after a series of shocking events unfolded during his funeral.
During Baysu’s funeral, mourners were startled by sounds coming from his coffin, prompting a call to emergency medical personnel. Upon arrival, paramedics discovered that Baysu, who was previously pronounced dead, still had a faint pulse. He was rushed to a hospital but died shortly after despite medical efforts. His body was transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute for further examination.
Speaking outside the morgue, Baysu’s son, Yigit Baysu, expressed disbelief at the situation. “The doctor said he had never seen anything like this in his life,” he said. The family, already grieving, is now left seeking answers, questioning the handling of the case by medical staff.
The incident occurred during Baysu’s funeral when sounds from inside the coffin caused alarm. His nephew, Osman Baysu, described the surreal scene: “We would have buried him alive if we hadn’t heard that sound. He would have died underground on his own.” He added that the incident felt like something out of a film, comparing it to a comedy by Turkish actor Kemal Sunal, known for satirical depictions of bureaucracy and miscommunication.
Osman also criticized the hospital’s handling of the case, recounting how his uncle had been left in the morgue for three hours at -40°C before being washed and prepared for burial. “They pulled the plug thinking he was dead,” Osman said, adding that their legal team is preparing to take action against the hospital. “We are waiting for the forensic report, and we will pursue legal action.”
Yigit Baysu said that two separate death certificates had been issued, raising concerns about possible medical negligence. “I have two death certificates with different times of death. Was my father struggling during that time? Was he placed in the coffin alive? We don’t know,” he said. The family expects to receive the forensic report within four months and hopes it will provide clarity.
The case has garnered attention not only for its bizarre nature but also for the questions it raises about medical practices. Both Yigit and Osman Baysu emphasized that they would continue to seek justice, with Osman stating, “We will not accept this in any way. We will fight for our rights.”
