Tourist death in Sandakphu

VIVEK CHHETRI, TT, 27 Dec 2018, Darjeeling: A retired constable from Calcutta died on Wednesday while holidaying at Tumling near Sandakphu, located at 9,600ft, with doctors suspecting high-altitude sickness as the cause of death.

Chandra Shekar Ghosh, 63, is the third tourist to die this way in as many years in the Sandakphu area. Doctors warned that "a healthy body does not necessarily mean protection from mountain sickness," and advised tourists to take proper precautions before visiting high mountains.

Sandakphu situated at an altitude 11,929 feet is a relatively easy hill and many tourists believe that they would not face any problems at this altitude.

Tumling is 19km downhill of Sandakphu and 39km from Darjeeling.

The deceased was a retired constable of Howrah City police and was a resident of Bansdroni in Regent Park area of Calcutta, said a police source.

The tourist had come to Tumling alone two days back. "He complained about feeling unwell in the morning and the hotel owner arranged for a vehicle and sent him to a hospital (Sukhiapokhri block hospital)," said a police official.

Tumling is 20km from Sukhiapokhri. The doctors attending Ghosh declared "brought dead." The family members of Ghosh are expected to reach Darjeeling on Thursday.

In 2016, a 35-year old Biswajit Poddar of Salt Lake had died at Phalut after complaining of breathlessness. The same year, Benazir Begum 44, and a resident of Bahadurpur in Murshidabad had also died in Sandakphu after complaining about breathing problems.

Bikash Dewan, physician from Darjeeling said: "Most of the problem is because of mountain sickness and this starts from above 8000 feet"One must bear in mind that a healthy body is no protection to mountain sickness. People travelling to high places even in vehicles can feel sick as they are rapidly exposed to low oxygen," said Dewan.