New Delhi: Manik Gupta, a senior umpire of the Kanpur Cricket Association (KCA), passed away after bees attacked players and officials during the KDMA league match between YMCC and Paramount at the Sapru Ground in Shuklaganj, Unnao, on Wednesday, February 18.

Many other players and umpires also got injured during the sudden bee attack that stopped the match. The incident happened when Gupta and a fellow umpire were officiating in the local cricket match. According to the details, both umpires were dressed in white, and the bees surrounded them for more than 10 minutes.

Players and officials tried their best to take cover as the bee attack created panic on the ground. Eyewitnesses said that several players and umpires suffered severe stings in the attack, which forced the match to be stopped midway. They also said Gupta sustained serious injuries in the attack and fell unconscious.

After the dangerous bee attack, Gupta was rushed to two private hospitals in Shuklaganj, Unnao. As his condition worsened, doctors referred Gupta to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital (LLR) in Kanpur. He was later referred to the Laxmipat Singhania Institute of Cardiology, where he was declared dead.

He was a resident of Pheelkhana and was part of the KCA umpiring panel for almost 30 years. KCA chairman Sanjay Kapoor expressed condolences over the incident and said it was a big loss to the cricketing community.

“The senior umpire of KCA was dedicated to the game. The KCA family shares every sorrow and stands with the bereaved family. All possible help will be provided to his family,” he said.

Gupta’s last rites were performed on Thursday. The incident has left the entire cricket community in shock, with many urging for better safety measures at the stadium to prevent such dangerous situations.