A 22-year-old Indian student, Rittika Rajput, lost her life in Canada’s British Columbia on December 7, 2024, after being struck by a falling tree during a late-night outing with friends. Efforts are underway to repatriate her body to India, with family and friends raising funds for the process.
The RCMP confirmed the incident took place just before 3am and said it was not suspicious.
According to family friend Amarjit Lalli, Rajput and her friends were having a bonfire near James Lake, Kelowna, when a gust of wind caused a large tree to snap and fall, as reported by CBC News.
While her friends managed to escape, Rittika was struck by the tree. Lalli called it a devastating moment, saying, “You just never think something like this would happen.”
Rajput was living in Kelowna while pursuing hospitality management studies through online courses at a BC college. Her mother, Kiran Rajput, a seamstress in India, had taken out a significant loan to support her daughter’s education, hoping for a brighter future for her family.
Community support and fundraising efforts
As per The Chilliwack Progress, a GoFundMe campaign led by cousin Balwinder Heer has been launched to cover the costs of repatriating Rajput’s body, addressing her educational debt, and managing legal expenses.
The fundraiser highlights her as a “kind-hearted and hard-working young woman” whose family is devastated by the tragic loss.
Lalli, who visited the accident site, said the impact of the fallen tree was evident, with a shattered picnic bench bearing witness to the incident. “They were just having a bonfire and enjoying the back country… It’s a Canadian thing,” he noted, expressing disbelief over the freak accident.
As per CBC News, Rajput’s family, especially her mother, is struggling to come to terms with the loss. “The mom’s not taking it too well. I don’t think she’s fully accepted that she’s passed on,” Lalli shared. He emphasised the family’s urgent need for closure, which includes returning Rittika’s body to India for her final rites.
The Kelowna-based Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team was initially dispatched to assist with the incident but was stood down en route, according to The Chilliwack Progress.
