A 15-year-old girl reportedly died of a heart attack shortly after finishing third in a marathon during her school sports day in Talasari, Palghar district, Maharashtra. The incident took place at Bharati Academy English School in Velji on Saturday.
The deceased, class X student Roshni Goswami, a resident of Umbargaon, was celebrating the school’s sports day when she collapsed. Eyewitnesses said Roshni experienced breathlessness after completing the race, sat down, and then fainted.
School teachers attempted initial treatment before rushing her to a nearby hospital in a private vehicle. Doctors declared her dead on arrival. Bharati Academy principal Rakesh Sharma said, “We suspect she suffered a heart attack.”
Roshni’s mother, Sunitaben Goswami, said her daughter started the day normally, having breakfast and packing her lunch. “She even touched my feet seeking blessings for her marathon race. In the afternoon, we got the devastating news of her demise,” she said.
The Gholwad police station has registered an accidental death case. Officials said police personnel present at the event will be questioned as part of the investigation. Authorities are awaiting the post-mortem report to confirm the exact cause of death.
Local education activists have raised concerns about the safety of such high-intensity sporting events for students. They said marathons in hot weather often lack professional first aid, on-site doctors, and ambulances. Activists also noted that students often participate in long-distance races without prior medical screening, hydration checks, or proper physical conditioning.
The tragic incident has sparked calls for stricter safety protocols in school sports events to prevent similar fatalities. Officials and education experts are reviewing current practices to ensure better preparedness in future events.
