14-yr-old promising footballer dies in road mishap at Namthang

NAMCHI, 12 Sept: A road mishap at Namthang, South Sikkim claimed the life of a 14-year-old promising footballer, Andrew Lepcha, today.
Andrew was a student at the Namthang Football Academy and had been selected to play at the ongoing TFA Shield tourney in Chennai organised by the Tamil Nadu Football Association.
The team was preparing to leave for NJP from Namthang this morning to participate in the tourney. Andrew’s uncle, Dawa Lepcha, was driving him to join his team on his scooter at around 6 AM this morning. As they approached Namthang, his uncle lost control over the two-wheeler and collided with a truck coming from Namthang.
In the collision, Andrew sustained serious injuries while his uncle sustained minor injuries. The uncle immediately contacted Andrew’s family and informed them about the accident. Family members along with the police reached the spot and took him to Namthang PHC where he was given first aid and referred to Namchi District Hospital. Unfortunately, Andrew was declared dead at Namchi hospital.
The body was handed over to the deceased’s family after autopsy.
The Namthang Football Academy has cancelled its participation in the TFA Shield tourney at Chennai. The entire team member along with the locals and panchayats assembled at the party office of Namthang and conducted peace prayers for the departed soul.
Police sources informed that the case has been registered at Namchi PS against the driver of the Truck under section 279, 304 A IPC and the case is under investigation.