Nashik cyclist Harshad Purnapatre passes away

Cyclist Harshad Purnapatre, a resident of Nashik, died during a cycling expedition from Manali to Leh, family members said today.

Harshad, 39, passed away yesterday at around 11:00 AM due to cardiac arrest while he was on his way to Leh from Manali along with three others, the deceased's father Shrikant Purnapatre said.

Lack of oxygen at a high altitude triggered the attack, Purnapatre said.

Earlier, Harshad, who owns a medical shop here, had successfully completed several trips on bicycle from New Delhi to Mumbai, Mumbai to Kanyakumari, and envisaged to travel from Kanyakumari to Kolkata and from there to Delhi, as his next long distance cycling expedition, he said.

Harshad's family was informed by two of his friends -- Gaurang Pradhan and Radhika Borkar, who were also a part of the expedition team, following which family members left for Manali last evening.

Harshad is survived by wife and a daughter.