Rajkot Family Celebration Turns Tragic as Father Drowns After Heart Attack
A joyous family outing to celebrate a young boy's ninth birthday at a resort near Kagvad village in Rajkot district ended in unimaginable tragedy on Sunday. The festive atmosphere was shattered when 33-year-old Ajay Rathod, the boy's father, suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack while beside the swimming pool, leading to his drowning.
Sudden Collapse and Initial Confusion
According to detailed reports from the Rajkot rural police, the incident unfolded rapidly and unexpectedly. Ajay Rathod was standing near the pool when he experienced a cardiac arrest. He collapsed into the water, but initially, his family members and other bystanders did not realize the severity of the situation.
In a heartbreaking twist, his young son, whose birthday was being celebrated, mistook his father's movements for swimming. The boy was seen on CCTV footage calling out to his father from the poolside, urging him to come out of the water. The footage further shows the child moving from the children's pool area towards the larger adult pool in an attempt to reach his father.
Rescue Attempts and Medical Response
It was only when Ajay remained completely motionless in the water that the gravity of the situation became apparent. Bystanders quickly pulled him from the pool, but he was already unconscious. Immediate and frantic attempts were made to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the scene in a desperate bid to revive him.
Despite these efforts, there was no response. He was rushed urgently to Virpur Government Hospital for advanced medical care. However, doctors at the hospital could only confirm the tragic outcome, declaring him dead upon arrival. The preliminary medical assessment points to a cardiac arrest occurring while he was in the water as the direct cause of death.
Investigation and Aftermath
The Rajkot rural police have launched a preliminary inquiry into the tragic incident. Investigations reveal that Ajay Rathod, a resident of the Navagam area in Rajkot, worked in the field of online marketing. The entire sequence of events, from his collapse to the rescue attempts, was captured clearly by the resort's comprehensive CCTV surveillance system.
In a distressing development, this CCTV footage has since been widely circulated across various social media platforms, amplifying the grief for the bereaved family. The incident serves as a stark and somber reminder of how suddenly a celebratory occasion can transform into a profound personal loss.
