13-year-old school student passes away from cardiac arrest at Imagicaa Theme Park. Read More…

A joyful school outing turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when a 13-year-old student from Navi Mumbai lost his life during a picnic at Imagicaa Theme Park in Khopoli, Maharashtra. The incident has raised concerns about the safety measures in place during school excursions and the adherence to educational trip guidelines.

Imagica Incident Overview

On February 25, 2025, Ayush Dharmendra Singh, a class VIII student from Ghansoli Municipal School No. 76, was part of a group of over 1,000 students attending a school-organized picnic to Imagicaa Theme Park. Around 4:00 PM, Ayush began feeling unwell and sat on a bench to rest. Moments later, he collapsed. Despite immediate assistance from park staff and teachers, and subsequent transportation to a nearby hospital, Ayush was declared dead on arrival.

Cause of Death

A post-mortem examination conducted at the Khalapur Primary Health Center confirmed that Ayush’s death resulted from a cardiac arrest. The sudden nature of this medical emergency has prompted discussions about the preparedness of schools and recreational facilities in handling such unforeseen incidents.

Questions Raised

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has questioned the decision to organize a trip to an adventure park, especially during periods of extreme heat. They highlighted that state guidelines recommend educational tours to historical, geographical, cultural, or academic sites. Concerns were also raised about the ratio of teachers to students and the safety measures implemented during the trip.

Official Response

In response to the incident, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) clarified that the picnic was organized following standard procedures. They stated that immediate medical assistance was provided to Ayush and that all necessary permissions for the trip had been obtained. The local police have registered the case as an accidental death and are conducting further investigations.

Conclusion

The tragic loss of young Ayush Singh during what was meant to be a fun-filled school outing has cast a shadow over the community. This incident underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols, careful planning, and adherence to guidelines during school excursions to prevent such heartbreaking events in the future.