A 45-year-old trekker from Uttar Pradesh, Suraj Kumar Tiwari, died while descending the Goechala trekking route in West Sikkim on Thursday night. The incident occurred near the Phedang campsite, close to Tshoka, approximately 22 kilometres from Yuksam.
Tiwari was part of an eight-day trekking expedition through the Khangchendzonga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to fellow trekkers, he had successfully completed the trek a day earlier but fell ill during the return journey on Thursday morning. Around 9 am near the Kokchurong campsite, he reportedly developed sudden paralysis-like symptoms.
Co-trekkers and the trekking guide immediately administered first aid and sought assistance from nearby camps. Local trekkers and residents joined the rescue effort and began evacuating him on foot towards Yuksam. Despite sustained efforts through the night, Tiwari succumbed around 8 am on Friday near the Phedang campsite.
The cause of death is suspected to be low blood pressure, though fellow trekkers stated that he had no known history of medical issues. He was later examined by a medical officer at the Gyalshing district hospital, where he was declared dead. Following a post-mortem examination, the body was handed over to his guardian after completing necessary formalities.
Suraj Kumar Tiwari is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.
This incident marks the third fatality reported on the Goechala trekking route. Earlier, a trekker from Kolkata and a local resident from Geyzing had also lost their lives due to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) along the same trail.
In the wake of repeated incidents, local tourism stakeholders in Yuksam have urged the State government and concerned authorities to strengthen medical facilities, improve emergency response mechanisms, and enhance rescue infrastructure along the Dzongri–Goechala trekking corridor to ensure greater safety for trekkers.
