Army Officer Capt Prashant Kumar Chaurasia Drowns During Military Exercise in Dehradun
In a tragic incident, a 26-year-old Army officer, Capt Prashant Kumar Chaurasia, drowned in the Asan river on the outskirts of Dehradun while crossing it as part of a military exercise, officials confirmed on Monday.
Details of the Incident
According to Army authorities, the incident occurred around 12.20 pm on Saturday. Capt Chaurasia, who hailed from Varanasi and was attached to the Army's Garhwal Rifles regiment, was participating in the ‘Cambrian patrol exercise' in the Asan river near the Vikasnagar area of Dehradun.
Army personnel quickly fished Capt Chaurasia out from the river and rushed him to a nearby civil hospital. There, he was provided CPR for approximately 40 minutes, which resulted in a ‘sustained cardiac activity'. He was subsequently shifted to the Military Hospital (MH) in Dehradun around 5.20 pm the same day.
Medical Complications and Fatal Outcome
During medical tests at the Military Hospital, it was discovered that Capt Chaurasia had suffered extensive hypoxic encephalopathy, a brain injury caused by a reduction in blood flow. The officer began experiencing seizures at night, along with three cardiac arrests during his treatment at the hospital.
Around 9.20 am on Sunday, he suffered a ‘terminal cardiac arrest'. Medical staff administered CPR for about an hour in an attempt to revive him, but their efforts were unsuccessful. Capt Chaurasia was declared dead at 10.30 am. His mortal remains were sent home for the last rites.
Army's Response and Condolences
The Army's central command expressed its condolences to Capt Prashant Kumar Chaurasia on its official X handle on Monday, honoring his service and sacrifice.
This incident highlights the risks associated with military training exercises and underscores the dedication of armed forces personnel who undertake such challenging tasks in service to the nation.
