Youngster falls into pit, dies

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, November 19

A youth in his mid-20s died after he slipped into a 14-foot-deep pit meant for storm water collection adjacent to the main market here this evening. The identity of the youth is yet to be ascertained.

According to sources, the incident occurred around 7.30 pm when the youth, along with one of his associates, had come to buy a cigarette in the market. In the meantime, the victim went near the pit to answer nature’s call. He accidentally slipped into the pit. Prima facie it appears the area was dark and he failed to notice the pit.

A huge crowd gathered on the Ambala-Chandigarh stretch as onlookers stopped on getting to know about the incident.

The victim’s associate raised the alarm and informed the Fire Department. Passers-by and shopkeepers came to the victim’s rescue, but as it was dark, they could not locate the body inside the pit. Soon, fire personnel reached the spot and pulled him out. They took him to the nearby Civil Hospital, Dera Bassi, where doctors declared him dead.

The victim’s friends also reached the hospital after getting the news. The did not believe in the doctors’ theory and rushed him to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, Chandigarh. 

They even lodged a complaint with the police in this connection, said the sources. The police are looking into the matter.

Shopkeepers blamed the authorities concerned for the incident and said they should have taken precautionary measures while undertaking work at the storm water collection point. 

The sources said the deceased belonged to Haryana and was putting up in a rented accommodation in Dera Bassi with his friends.