Devotee defies health warnings, dies while climbing Velliangiri hills

Coimbatore: A 32-year-old devotee died of breathlessness while trekking the Velliangiri Hills in Coimbatore district on Friday morning.The deceased was identified as A Mayilsamy, a taxi driver from Kannamanaickanur near Madukkarai in Coimbatore district. According to sources, he reportedly ignored medical warnings and family pleas before undertaking the trek.Forest officials said Mayilsamy began the trek alone on Thursday night. When he reached the Muzhangal Thittu area on the fourth hill, he developed severe respiratory distress and collapsed. Fellow pilgrims alerted the forest department. Officials then helped rush him down the foothills on a dolly, but doctors declared him dead.This was Mayilsamy's second attempt to climb the hills in just two weeks. During his previous trek 14 days earlier, he had reportedly suffered chest pain and breathlessness, forcing him to turn back and seek medical treatment.Despite repeated warnings from his family and advice from doctors to avoid strenuous physical activity, Mayilsamy is said to have left home without informing anyone and attempted the trek again.Alandurai police have registered a case and sent the body for a postmortem. Meanwhile, an official who requested anonymity, said the administration has arranged for medical examinations at the Velliangiri foothills for devotees planning to trek the seven hills. However, many visitors bypass these physical screenings. "When medical staff identify individuals as unfit for the climb and attempt to restrict their access, it often leads to heated arguments," he said.He further suggested that the forest department and district administration implement a mandatory online booking system. Devotees should be required to undergo a physical examination and upload a medical clearance certificate before their booking is confirmed. Such an initiative would ensure better regulation and significantly reduce mortality rate among trekkers.Forest officials have urged devotees with heart or respiratory conditions to exercise extreme caution before undertaking the difficult seven-hill trek.