Pune: City-based mountain biker (cyclist) Ajay Padval, who was on a cycling trek to Ladakh, lost his life in an accident at Khardung La Pass that took place on Tuesday night.
However, some cyclists have alleged that Padval’s life could have been saved, had he been airlifted and shifted to a hospital in Delhi or Chandigarh. But it was not done as the authorities could not approve it and Padval succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday afternoon. However, this could not be confirmed.

According to his close friends, Padval was on a recreational cycling expedition in Spiti Valley, along with a bunch of friends. The trek was 4,500-m long.

On Tuesday night, while riding downhill from Khardung La in Ladakh, Padval had a fall. Though he was wearing a helmet, he suffered critical head injuries. Padval’s friends from the city told Sakal Times that they couldn’t state the exact nature of injuries or the reason of death. They, however, said that although, he was immediately hospitalised, he lost his life as he couldn’t be moved to a better hospital in time. He was denied airlift without permission stating that he was not a ‘local’ resident of Leh, alleged a few cyclists.

Padval was a pro mountain biker and has also worked with a cycling brand in the past. The enthusiastic rider was also a part of Salman Khan’s blockbuster ‘Kick’, in which he played Khan’s stunt double.

He was presently working in a Tamil movie titled, ‘Bhairava’. His close friends said Padval loved travelling and went on several cycling expeditions across the
country.