Student’s death to be probed, says dist welfare officer

Rourkela: The district welfare officer on Thursday said he would initiate an inquiry into the death of a Class XI student who collapsed during a sports meet in school the day before. “The inquiry would proceed once the post-mortem report is received,” Bhagirathi Patel, the welfare officer, said.The incident took place at Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS), Bhawanipur on Wednesday and classes remained suspended the next day.The deceased was identified as Jaydeep Sagar Beck (17). While the exact cause of death is not known yet, officials suspect cardiac arrest. The school cancelled the remaining events of the meet following the death.Jaydeep had enrolled in Class XI at EMRS earlier this year. On Wednesday, he took part in the 200-metre relay and after completing the first round, he reportedly felt uneasy, stepped off the track, sat near the field and collapsed shortly after. The school nurse administered CPR but as his condition worsened, he was rushed on a motorcycle to the govt medical college and hospital, Sundargarh, where he was declared dead. His parents, teachers, the principal, the welfare officer and the ITDA project administrator reached the hospital soon after.After the post-mortem, Sundargarh town police handed over the body to Jaydeep’s family and registered an unnatural death case. Jaydeep was the only son, with two younger sisters; his father works as a driver and his mother is an Asha worker.The school staff, students and principal visited his home on Thursday, offering condolences and handing over Rs 50,000 collected among teachers and staff. EMRS principal Sanghamitra Panigrahi said Jaydeep was a bright student and assured that the govt-mandated Rs 5 lakh compensation would be provided.