Fatal accident during training claimed the life of thirteen year old Rueisha Kharsel, a Class IX student of St Anthony’s High School in Guirim, who was struck by a hockey ball on Thursday, reported TOI.
The incident took place during school hours on the last day before summer vacations, when students were participating in practice sessions for upcoming competitions. The training began as usual but turned tragic after the ball hit Rueisha on the head and she collapsed on the ground.
Sources told TOI that after Rueisha collapsed, school authorities initially called for an ambulance but were informed it would take time to arrive. She was then taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.
Police said they received a call from the district hospital informing them of the girl’s death. “She was declared brought dead. A case of unnatural death has been registered,” police told TOI, adding that the postmortem report is expected on Friday.
Goa had finished second among eight teams in division C, and such performances strengthened her ambition to pursue the sport.
“She always used my hockey stick,” Suraj told TOI, as he stayed home to console his mother while other family members completed formalities at the hospital. “My mother received a call while she was at work. I heard of the death only after she reached home. I was numbed. I think there were just about ten minutes left for the session to end.”
Suraj, 15, has represented Goa four times at national championships and studied at the same school. He said he was unsure how the incident occurred. “I don’t know how the ball struck her and I am not even sure if she was conscious when she fell down,” he told TOI.
At their rented house in Agni Wado, Guirim, friends, teammates and schoolmates gathered to pay their last respects. Rueisha’s mother works as a maid, while her father is employed at a local store.
“Sorry, Rueisha, I could not do anything for you,” her mother said, according to TOI. “Am I a bad mother, Rueisha? Why did you leave me? Please come back. I will allow you to do whatever you want.”
The incident took place during school hours on the last day before summer vacations, when students were participating in practice sessions for upcoming competitions. The training began as usual but turned tragic after the ball hit Rueisha on the head and she collapsed on the ground.
Student rushed to hospital, declared dead
“They were practicing like any normal day and the incident happened during school hours,” the principal, Fr Milchester Furtado, told TOI. “The ball hit her head. She was rushed to the hospital without any delay.”Sources told TOI that after Rueisha collapsed, school authorities initially called for an ambulance but were informed it would take time to arrive. She was then taken to the hospital in a private vehicle.
Police said they received a call from the district hospital informing them of the girl’s death. “She was declared brought dead. A case of unnatural death has been registered,” police told TOI, adding that the postmortem report is expected on Friday.
Inspired by brother’s achievements in hockey
Rueisha had taken up hockey two years ago, inspired by her brother Suraj, who captained Goa at the sub junior national championship in Rajgir, Bihar, last month.Goa had finished second among eight teams in division C, and such performances strengthened her ambition to pursue the sport.
“She always used my hockey stick,” Suraj told TOI, as he stayed home to console his mother while other family members completed formalities at the hospital. “My mother received a call while she was at work. I heard of the death only after she reached home. I was numbed. I think there were just about ten minutes left for the session to end.”
Suraj, 15, has represented Goa four times at national championships and studied at the same school. He said he was unsure how the incident occurred. “I don’t know how the ball struck her and I am not even sure if she was conscious when she fell down,” he told TOI.
At their rented house in Agni Wado, Guirim, friends, teammates and schoolmates gathered to pay their last respects. Rueisha’s mother works as a maid, while her father is employed at a local store.
“Sorry, Rueisha, I could not do anything for you,” her mother said, according to TOI. “Am I a bad mother, Rueisha? Why did you leave me? Please come back. I will allow you to do whatever you want.”
