A 19-year-old boy died in a tragic and unusual accident in Watgunge after being struck on the neck by a ball while playing with friends, leaving the local community in disbelief.

Sudden collapse during play

The victim, identified as Aniket Das, was playing outside his home on Mansatala Lane off Diamond Harbour Road on Sunday evening when the incident occurred.

According to family members, Aniket was playing with a hard rubber ball when it unexpectedly changed direction mid-air and struck him on the neck, just below the right earlobe.

Soon after being hit, he began struggling to breathe and collapsed.

Rushed to hospital, declared dead

Neighbours alerted his family, who rushed him indoors before taking him to CMRI Hospital in Ekbalpore. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The sudden loss has deeply affected the family. Aniket, who would have turned 20 on April 4, is remembered as a cheerful young man who often spent time playing with friends in the neighbourhood.

Family seeks answers

Aniket’s father, a retired government official, has filed a formal complaint seeking a detailed investigation into the incident. The family has stated that they are not blaming anyone but want clarity on how such a routine activity turned fatal.

Police have registered an unnatural death case and begun an inquiry.

Probe underway

Investigators are speaking to witnesses and Aniket’s friends to reconstruct the sequence of events. Initial accounts suggest the ball may have deflected mid-air before striking him at a sensitive point on the neck.

Officials are examining all possibilities, including the nature of impact and circumstances leading to the incident.

Community in shock

Residents of the narrow Watgunge lane remain shaken, struggling to process how a casual game could end in tragedy. The incident has raised awareness about the unpredictability of accidents, even during seemingly harmless activities.

Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact cause and rule out any other factors.