26-year-old aspiring cop dies during recruitment drive in Beed

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A 26-year-old Parli resident taking part in the ongoing police recruitment drive in Beed died after complaining of uneasiness following the mandatory 1,600-metre run on Wednesday. Initial medical assessments indicated a possible heart attack, with doctors suggesting dehydration a contributing factor, police said.Police identified the deceased as Deepak Bhaskar Wavhale of Parli in Beed district.CCTV footage revealed that Wavhale completed the run at the Beed district police ground. "Around 12.55pm, he complained of exhaustion and uneasiness, and walked towards the medical room adjacent to the finishing point after taking rest for a brief period. A medical team and a doctor stationed at the ground immediately attended to him. He was administered preliminary treatment, including intravenous (IV) fluids. The team immediately called for an ambulance after detecting a low pulse rate," an officer said.Senior officers reached the medical camp at 1.08pm after being alerted about his condition. An ambulance arrived at 1.10pm and left for the Civil Hospital in Beed by 1.14pm. "He was declared dead by the attending doctors soon after," the officer said.Preliminary medical opinion indicated that he might have suffered a heart attack. Doctors also suspected dehydration as a possible contributing factor. The exact cause of death will, however, be determined after the post-mortem.Beed superintendent of police Navneet Kanwat said the department had made comprehensive arrangements for the recruitment exercise. "All possible arrangements, including a pandal, drinking water facilities and a medical team, were in place. It is an unfortunate incident. An accidental death case has been registered," he said.Kanwat said the physical tests were scheduled to avoid peak heat hours as a precautionary measure. "Further medical and legal procedures are under way," he said.Like other police units across Maharashtra, the Beed police began the recruitment process on Wednesday to fill 174 police constable posts. As part of the physical efficiency test, candidates were required to complete a 1,600-metre run.