Nashik cyclist dies during expedition in Leh, body to reach city today

NASHIK: City-based cyclist Harshad Purnapatre (38) died because of suspected mountain sickness during an expedition in Leh while moving from Manali on Friday. His body is expected to reach Nashik on Sunday evening.
The cyclist had gone on the expedition along with three friends and left Nashik July 25. Superintendent of police (Maharashtra Police Academy) Harish Baijal, who has been taking regular updates. On Saturday said the post-mortem of the deceased has been conducted and other official formalities have been concluded.According to the schedule, Purnapetre's body would be airlifted ve from Leh around 7am and reach Mumbai via New Delhi 3.30pm, from where it would be brought to Nashik.
"I have known Purnapatre for the last four years and got associated with him during a Kasara ghat riding event. Since then, I completed 1,200 km in a span of 11 days from Delhi to Mumbai and another stretch of Mumbai -Kanyakumari in the last couple of years," Baijal said.
The officer added that he considered Purnapatre as his mentor and described him as a "friendly, supportive and caring person". Baijal said the journey began from July 25 and Purnapatre was not feeling well then, "Two days ago, Purnapatre complained of mountain sickness and travelled mostly on four wheeler and cycled when he felt comfortable. However, when he reached Sarju, Purnapatre vomited and became unconscious. He could not survive," he said.