Devprayag – A 21-year-old man from Dehradun died under suspicious circumstances after performing a bungee jump near Devprayag. The youth reportedly complained of severe chest and abdominal pain along with breathing difficulty immediately after the jump. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital by his family, doctors declared him dead.
According to officials, Lakshya Rastogi, son of Sanjeev Rastogi and a resident of Shanti Vihar, Kalagaon in Dehradun, was returning with his family after offering prayers at Dhari Devi Temple. During the journey, the family stopped near a bungee jumping facility at Mulyagaon, where Lakshya expressed his desire to take the jump.
After completing the bungee jump over the Alaknanda River, Lakshya reportedly began experiencing severe pain in his chest and abdomen. His condition worsened rapidly, and he also developed difficulty in breathing.
Concerned family members took him to a nearby lodge so he could rest. However, within a short time, he lost consciousness. Around 9 pm, he was rushed to the Community Health Centre in Pali, where doctors examined him.
Doctors attempted CPR after finding no pulse, but they were unable to revive him. He was declared dead at the hospital.
Doctors suspect cardiac event
CHC in-charge Dr. Akash Deep said the youth had no detectable pulse when he was brought to the hospital. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts, there was no response.
Doctor Amar Deep, citing information provided by the family, said Lakshya developed severe abdominal pain and breathing difficulty immediately after the bungee jump. Based on the preliminary assessment, doctors suspect the cause of death could be a syncope attack or a cardiac stroke. The exact cause, however, will be confirmed only after the post-mortem examination.
The incident has raised concerns over safety and medical screening at adventure tourism facilities, although authorities have not yet established whether the death was directly linked to the bungee jump. Police have initiated the necessary legal proceedings.
