NRI devotee dies of heart attack while climbing Srivari Mettu

Tirupati: A pilgrimage to Tirumala ended in tragedy after a 52-year-old Non-Resident Indian (NRI) devotee from New Jersey, USA, died of a suspected heart attack while trekking along the Srivari Mettu footpath on Wednesday.

The deceased was identified as Singireddy Surjit Reddy. According to reports, he suddenly collapsed near the 800th step of the footpath after suffering a cardiac arrest while making his way uphill towards the hill shrine.

On receiving information about the incident, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) vigilance and security personnel rushed to the spot and shifted him from the footpath to Tirumala. They also alerted the medical team for immediate assistance.

However, doctors examined Surjit Reddy and confirmed that he had died. His body was subsequently moved to the mortuary at Ashwini Hospital in Tirumala.

Meanwhile, Chandragiri police registered a case in connection with the incident and initiated an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding his death.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pradeep Veenalakanti

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Dr V Pradeep Kumar is the Bureau Chief, covering the erstwhile Chittoor district for The Hans India. He holds an M.A., and a Ph.D. in Economics from Sri Venkateswara University, along with a Diploma in Journalism. With over three decades of experience in journalism, he has reported extensively across diverse beats, including politics, entertainment, healthcare, education, and public affairs. When not immersed in writing, he enjoys reading books, watching television, and listening to music. He is also the author of ‘Balance of Payments Problems of Developing Countries with Special Reference to India’, published by Serials Publications, New Delhi.

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