Darjeeling: A 48-year-old tourist from Barasat died after developing breathing difficulties at Tumling, situated at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, on Tuesday. This was the second tourist death in the Sandakphu region in less than a month. The incident has again raised concerns over the lack of emergency medical facilities and ambulance services in the popular high-altitude tourist belt.The deceased, Bubai Paul, was travelling with five family members. They arrived at Maneybhanjan on Oct 18, stayed at Sandakphu on Oct 19 and reached Tumling on Oct 20. Paul reportedly developed breathing difficulties around 12.30 am at a homestay in Tumling.According to Singalila Land Rover Owners’ Association (SLROA) president Chandan Pradhan, Paul had finished dinner and gone to bed when he experienced breathing problems. “The owner of the homestay informed us, following which Paul was taken to Maneybhanjan and then to Sukhiapokhri health centre, where doctors declared him dead,” Pradhan said.Paul’s body was taken to Darjeeling for a post-mortem examination.Pradhan said the region remains crowded during the tourist season, with most vehicles booked to ferry visitors, making it difficult to arrange transportation during medical emergencies.“When such incidents occur, it becomes difficult to arrange a vehicle immediately. We urgently need an ambulance service in the region,” he said.On Sept 30, a 27-year-old tourist from Cooch Behar died after developing breathing difficulties at Ahal, around 2 km from Sandakphu, Bengal’s highest point. The deceased, Priotosh Adhikari from Tufanganj, was trekking with four friends and had reached the Sandakphu region through the Sikkim route. His blood oxygen saturation level reportedly dropped to 32% before the SLROA rushed to rescue him amid the absence of immediate medical facilities in the area.Following that incident, Pradhan had called for a medical aid centre in the region, stressing the need for facilities that could provide immediate assistance and stabilise patients before they were shifted to hospitals.“There have been so many instances in the past and we had been demanding a medical aid centre so that tourists can at least get some immediate aid. These facilities can help stabilise patients before they are shifted,” Pradhan had said.
