MUMBAI: Sports day at Somaiya College of Nursing on Friday turned tragic as a student collapsed during a game of tug of war and died. The incident took place in the morning after students from the college gathered at Somaiya Vidyavihar campus on Day two of their sports day.

A second-year student of nursing, Jibin Sunny , collapsed as he led a team during the tug of war. "He was standing in the front and as everyone cheered for the players, he placed the rope behind his neck to assert more force. The next moment, he collapsed. People administered CPR but he did not respond," said a student, who was at the spot. College staff rushed the 19-year-old to Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar.

Dr Vidya Thakur, medical superintendent of Rajawadi Hospital, said that he was brought dead to the hospital's emergency unit.

"We couldn't do anything as he was dead by the time he was brought here," she said, adding that the body was immediately sent for an autopsy.

Forensic experts said that they have reserved the cause of death as only a histopathology could throw light on what could have killed the boy. "There were no usual marks or injuries barring a contusion at the back of his head, which could have been caused by the fall," said the professor of forensic medicine, who carried out the autopsy at the post-mortem examination centre in Rajawadi. The doctors are toying with more than one possibility. "The fall could have led to a traumatic brain injury (concussion), but it can't be seen with the naked eye. The histopathology report will show if there was one," the doctor said. Concussions are known to cause sudden deaths.

About what could have caused the collapse, doctors said the deceased was slightly obese and had a large heart. "It is possible that the physical stress left him breathless and tired," said the doctor. Another expert said an undiagnosed congenital heart condition too could be responsible for the large heart and the sudden death.

A resident of Thane, friends and family remembered Jibin as an energetic person. "He was very active and popular. He had lots of friends and was involved in church activities. He had no medical history and hence, his death has come as a shock to everyone," said a relative at Rajawadi Hospital. Jibin lived with his mother, Daisy, who is also a nurse with a local hospital and father, OP Sunny, who works in the Middle East. "His father has hurt his leg and is back in the city to recuperate. Due to the injury, he hasn't been able to travel to the hospital," said the relative. The body was handed over to the family in the evening.

Jibin had been practising for the upcoming festival season along with his mates at church. Father Koshi Alex, a priest at the St George Church in Mulund, said, "He came to the church yesterday (Thursday) for carol practice. He looked healthy and jolly."

In a statement, college authorities expressed shock. "Jibin: 19 years, a healthy nursing student and an athlete collapsed, while he was participating in a tug of war game. It is a very unfortunate incident. Our heartfelt condolences to the Jibin Sunny's family, his teachers and his friends. We stand with them on this difficult time. Our prayers for giving all, strength in this time (sic)," said the statement.

Tilak Nagar police have registered an accidental death report and are awaiting the post-mortem examination report which will ascertain the exact cause of death.