Lucknow: Accidental death can never be peaceful. And when tragedy strikes a teenager, it becomes even more painful.
A 19-year-old student lost his life on Saturday after a javelin pierced his neck during a practice session at Uttarakhand’s Goralchaud ground in Champawat district, police said.
The deceased was identified as Somendra Singh, a second-year polytechnic student at an Industrial Training Institute (ITI). He was practising for an upcoming sports competition.
Police said the incident occurred at 8.30 am when Somendra stepped forward to pick up a football which had rolled into the javelin throw zone. Unfortunately, a javelin thrown by another student trainee struck him.
Somendra was rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
A resident of Champawat’s Machhiyar village in Reetha Sahib, Somendra lived with his aunt.
“The javelin struck between the neck and shoulder and penetrated deep into the tissue. Excessive bleeding led to oxygen deprivation, resulting in Singh’s death. The exact cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem report,” chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Hira Singh Hyanki said.
Champawat district magistrate Manish Kumar informed that the government polytechnic’s scheduled sports competition has been postponed following the tragedy.
Police have sealed the Goralchaud ground as an investigation is underway to determine whether safety protocols were followed during the practice session.
“The inquiry will also examine possible negligence in the incident,” the DM said.
