Delhi School Girl Dies After Collapsing in Classroom

Delhi school student dies after collapsing following PT period

A nine-year-old girl studying in Class 3 at Lovely Heritage School in Mayur Vihar Phase II, East Delhi, died after collapsing inside her classroom on Wednesday morning. The incident has triggered questions from her family about the school's emergency medical arrangements and the time taken to provide medical assistance.

According to police, the student had returned to her classroom after a physical training (PT) period when she suddenly fell in front of her teacher. The incident reportedly took place around 9 am and was captured by the school's CCTV cameras.

The footage showed the girl standing with her hands near her waist before falling face-first onto the classroom floor.

Family questions delay in first aid and CPR

The girl's family has alleged that the school did not provide adequate and timely medical assistance after she collapsed. Her father questioned why the child was not taken to a nearby hospital and alleged that the school lacked sufficient medical facilities to handle such emergencies.

He also raised concerns about the absence of immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), saying timely intervention could potentially have saved her life. The family further questioned the availability of staff to respond to the emergency.

According to the family, school authorities contacted them at around 10 am to inform them that the girl was unwell. Her mother rushed to the school and later reached the hospital, where she learnt about her daughter's death.

School says student was rushed to hospital

The school administration, meanwhile, maintained that the child was taken for medical assistance immediately after she collapsed. Principal Bhawna Malik told India Today that the student had suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to a hospital.

The principal also said a nurse was present at the school. She stated that staff members initially noticed an injury to the child's chin and believed it could be connected to her condition.

However, the family's concerns about the availability of first aid and the decision-making process following the collapse remain central to the incident.

Police seize CCTV footage, post-mortem awaited

Police said the girl was initially taken to a private hospital in Pandav Nagar. Staff were reportedly advised to shift her to a higher medical centre, following which she was taken to another private hospital in Nirman Vihar, where doctors declared her brought dead.

The Delhi Police received a PCR call at approximately 9.52 am and began an investigation. A crime team and forensic experts visited the school, while investigators seized the CCTV footage for examination.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Rajiv Kumar said the exact cause of death would be established after the post-mortem examination. Preliminary findings indicated a suspected cardiac event. Statements from the girl's parents and school authorities are also to be recorded.

Incident raises questions about emergency preparedness in schools

The incident has renewed attention on the need for schools to have trained personnel and clear procedures to respond to medical emergencies involving students.

Speaking to PTI, Dr Raj Kumar, Senior Consultant in Non-Invasive Cardiology at PSRI Hospital, said that although physical activity is generally beneficial for children, strenuous exercise can rarely trigger a cardiac event in those with an underlying heart condition.

He highlighted warning signs such as fainting during or immediately after exercise, unexplained dizziness, chest pain, unusual breathlessness and palpitations. He also emphasised that schools should have staff trained in CPR, access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and clearly defined emergency response protocols.

The investigation and post-mortem examination are expected to establish further details about the circumstances surrounding the child's death.