Bhiwani, March 24: The Government Railway Police (GRP) reported on Tuesday that a 70-year-old athlete from Bhiwani, Haryana, allegedly died after falling from a moving Shatabdi Express train while returning home after winning a gold medal at a national sports competition.
The deceased has been identified as Phool Kumar, who participated in the 5th Khelo Masters National Games held in Chandigarh from March 20 to 22, where he secured a gold medal. A retired chief ticket inspector of the railways, Phool Kumar was actively involved in sports and had traveled to Chandigarh with fellow participants for the competition.
According to police officials, the incident occurred on the morning of March 22 while they were traveling on the Chandigarh-Delhi Shatabdi Express. Reports indicate that he fell from the moving train between the Rathdana and Narela railway stations.
Investigation officer Sub-Inspector Jogendra Singh stated that around 6:30 AM on March 22, the Rathdana station master informed the police about a body lying on the railway tracks. Upon receiving the information, a GRP team arrived at the scene, took possession of the body, and sent it for post-mortem at the district civil hospital.
It was reported that the train’s locomotive pilot alerted railway authorities immediately after the incident, prompting necessary actions. The body remained unidentified initially and was kept at the post-mortem house until Phool Kumar’s family arrived for identification on Monday morning.
The police confirmed that after completing legal formalities, including the post-mortem, the body was handed over to the family. Authorities stated that a case has been registered, and further investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the fall. Officials are examining all possible aspects, including the accident and other circumstances. Local residents and fellow athletes expressed deep sorrow over this tragic incident.