GANGTOK: A 45-year-old trekker from Uttar Pradesh, Suraj Kumar Tiwari, died while descending the Goechala trekking route in West Sikkim. The incident occurred on Thursday night near the Phedang campsite, close to Tshoka, around 22 kilometres from Yuksam.
Tiwari was part of an eight-day trekking expedition through the Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He reportedly fell ill during the return journey on Thursday morning. According to fellow trekkers, he had successfully completed the trek the previous day, but around 9 am near the Kokchurong campsite, he suddenly complained of severe discomfort and developed paralysis-like symptoms.
His co-trekkers, along with the trekking guide, immediately administered first aid and sought assistance from nearby camps. Local trekkers and residents promptly joined the rescue effort and began evacuating Tiwari by carrying him downhill towards Yuksam. Despite sustained rescue attempts under difficult terrain and weather conditions, the trekker passed away around 8 pm near the Phedang campsite.
The cause of death is suspected to be low blood pressure, although co-trekkers stated that Tiwari had no known prior history of health-related issues. He was taken to the Gyalshing district hospital, where the medical officer declared him dead on Friday morning. Following a post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to his guardian after completing all necessary formalities.
Suraj Kumar Tiwari is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
This incident marks the third fatality reported on the Goechala trekking trail in recent times. Earlier, a trekker from Kolkata had died due to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) along the same route, while another local resident from Geyzing also succumbed to AMS-related complications during a separate trekking expedition.
In the wake of repeated fatalities, local tourism stakeholders in Yuksam have urged the concerned authorities and the State government to strengthen and upgrade medical facilities, emergency response mechanisms, and rescue infrastructure along the Dzongri–Goechala trekking corridor to prevent further loss of life.
Also Read: When Christmas was simply joy: Memory and the politics of belonging