The 2016 edition of Maruti
Suzuki Rad de Himalaya took a tragic turn after one of the participants, 49
years old Subhamoy Paul, who was taking part in the Moto-Quads Xtreme category
of the rally, died on the 3rd day of the event on October 11, 2016
after he crashed while riding his bike, a KTM 500 EXC.
Shubhamoy Paul apparently fell
to his death in a mishap which occurred near Chatru in
the Losar-Gramphu section at 10AM on Tuesday morning. Unconfirmed reports state
that the some of the Extreme categories in the Raid, including the 4X4 and 2WD
have been called off.
A seasoned rider from Kolkata,
Paul was atop his KTM motorcycle when he lost control in a rocky section near
Chatru bride and fell into a gorge. According to Vivek Bhatia, Deputy
Commissioner Lahaul & Spiti District at Keylong , Himachal Pradesh, Paul
was being airlifted to Manali but he succumbed to his injuries mid transit. The
49 year old had been living in Romania over the last six months, where he
undertook enduro and trail riding, he is said to have been fitter than previous
years of participation in the Raid.
Sources on the ground indicate
that Paul’s motorcycle may have jumped and his helmet came off during the
mishap which led to a severe head injury. The accident is said to have taken
place 67kms from Keylong.
The 2016 edition of the Raid
began from Manali on Sunday October 9 and the competitors crossed the Rohtang
Pass on the first day, ending the day’s ride in Kaza. The second day’s rallying
saw the competitors ride the Kaza Gate-Lingti-Rama-Kaza Gate-Demul-Kaza loop.
On the third day, the competitors began the stage from Kaza, and took the route
via Losar and Gramphoo.
Paul crashed near Chhatru,
around 17 kilometres from Gramphoo, according to several reports. The exact
reason for the crash could not be ascertained.