Engineering student dies after basketball pole collapses during pull-ups
A 20-year-old engineering student died in Pune after a basketball pole collapsed on him during pull-ups at Tolani Maritime Institute; police investigation underway.
Pune (The Uttam Hindu): A tragic accident at a marine engineering institute in Pune, Maharashtra, claimed the life of a 20-year-old student after a basketball pole collapsed on him, causing fatal head injuries.
The deceased has been identified as Vishal Verma, a second-year student at Tolani Maritime Institute. According to initial reports, the incident occurred during a morning walk on campus. The student reportedly attempted to perform pull-ups by hanging from a basketball hoop when suddenly the entire backboard structure, along with its frame, broke and fell on him.
Students and staff present at the spot immediately rushed him to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Vishal was a resident of Basti district in Uttar Pradesh and had enrolled in the institute in 2024. He was pursuing a four-year B.Tech course, which was scheduled to be completed in 2028.
The institute administration expressed deep sorrow over the incident. Principal Dr. Sanjeet stated that a thorough inquiry would be conducted to determine the exact cause of the accident.
Police have also launched an investigation to examine whether there was any structural or technical fault in the basketball backboard frame or if corrosion had weakened it over time. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.