Kolkata: An 18-year-old college student died under mysterious circumstances at an amusement park in Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon. The police have begun an unnatural death case and sent the body for autopsy.
The statements of some friends, who were accompanying the boy, have also been recorded.
The incident occurred on a simulated waterfall at Nicco Park in Salt Lake. According to the amusement park’s authorities, Rahul arrived at around 11 am with a group of friends.
Park officials said that Rahul, along with ‘four boys and three girls’ – all believed to be college students – were taking a shower on the first floor of the ‘Niagara Falls’ simulation when he suddenly felt dizzy and collapsed.
Rajesh Raisinghani, managing director of the park, said they do not consider the death an “accident”, suggesting it may have been due to an underlying illness.
“Our staff suddenly saw some friends trying to bring a boy down (from the waterfall). He was found unconscious. Immediately, a wheelchair was brought in. He was first taken to primary care where the nurse found his pulse low, and suggested we take him to emergency services. By then, we had already called an ambulance. Later, doctors declared him dead when he was taken to hospital,” Raisinghani said.
The investigation is being handled by the Bidhannagar South police. Authorities are currently interviewing Rahul’s friends to gather more information about the circumstances leading to his collapse. Visitors to the popular destination – the oldest such park in Kolkata – were concerned after coming to know of the death. Staff members, however, ensured that no rumours were spread.
“We are awaiting the preliminary post-mortem report. We shall probe all angles and speak to the family members of the deceased,” a police officer said.