Hyderabad news: An 11-year-old boy lost his life on Monday after reportedly choking on food during lunch at his school in Begumpet, police said. The incident occurred when the boy, identified as Viren, a sixth-standard student, consumed more than three pooris at once, causing him to choke and experience breathlessness. His father, Gowtham Jain, stated in his complaint to the police that the school informed him about his son’s distress during lunch.
School staff rushed Viren to a nearby private hospital. However, he was referred to a super-specialty hospital for advanced care, where doctors declared him dead upon examination, reported PTI.
In his statement to the Begumpet police, Gowtham Jain affirmed there was no suspicion surrounding his son’s death, and the school management corroborated that the choking incident was accidental.
Police have registered a case under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which governs procedures for investigating accidental or suspicious deaths, as per a report on The News Minute. Authorities have confirmed there is no evidence of foul play, but investigations continue to ensure all aspects are thoroughly examined.
The incident recalls recent similar tragedies. In Kerala’s Palakkad, a 49-year-old man died after choking on idlis during an eating competition held during the Onam festival. Despite onlookers’ efforts to remove the stuck food, the man succumbed before reaching the hospital.
In another case, a 21-year-old man in Tamil Nadu’s Salem district choked to death on bread while training for a state-level bodybuilding championship. The incident occurred during a break in his workout session.
These incidents underscore the importance of food safety awareness, particularly in schools and competitive settings, to prevent such accidents. Simple measures like monitoring eating habits and providing first-aid training can potentially save lives in critical situations.
