American citizen dies by climbing hill near Mongpong Coronation Bridge

An American citizen fell to his death on Wednesday evening while reportedly climbing a hill some 300 metres away from Ganeshjhora near Mongpong (Coronation Bridge) in the Sevoke area. The body of Ruben Lamar Fox (21), a resident of Pennsylvania, was recovered by the police this morning. Ruben and his friend Ethan Phelps of Florida had gone for a ride on a scooty to Mongpong yesterday around 5pm. The police said the duo parked the two-wheeler and began climbing the hillside near Ganeshjhora towards a waterfall. Ruben reportedly slipped and could not be traced as it was already dusk.
Following the accident, Ethan and Michel Nightingale, another American friend, went to the Mongpong police outpost and reported the incident. A police team and firemen of Malbazaar Fire Brigade immediately organised a search but failed to trace Ruben. His lifeless body was found this morning near the waterfall when the search was renewed. Darjeeling SP Amit Javagal confirmed the death of the American tourist and said Ruben had been staying with his friend Michel in Devidanga near Siliguri since the past three months. They were in India on tourist visas and were engaged in social work. Ethan came in 2014, while Michel has been here since the past couple of years working to support underprivileged people. Javagal said he contacted the American consulate in Kolkata for verifying the authenticity of the three Americans. He said, “The consulate informed me that the records of the three are proper and their documents are valid." When contacted, Ethan said, "I have disclosed everything to the police. So please take the details from them and do not call me again." Ruben’s body has been sent to the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for a post mortem. The police have started an investigation and are interrogating the deceased’s friends to ascertain the actual cause of Ruben’s death.(EOI)