West Bengal, Jul 10: A football player, representing a local club, died on the field while playing in a night football tournament in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal on Sunday night, said the police.

Mahesh Thapa, 27, striker of Torolpara Club, died after he accidentally collided with the goalkeeper of Bhanunagar at Torolpara football ground, said Bhola Mondal, General Secretary, District Sports Association.

According to Mondal, Thapa surged ahead with the ball in a bid to save a goal and was hit in his chest after he came in contact with the goalkeeper’s knee and fell on the ground.

The striker was then rushed to Jalpaiguri Sadar Hospital as his condition worsened. Due to lack of space in the ICU, he was then taken to a private nursing home but died on the way, said sources.

The body has been sent for a postmortem, said the police.

A memorial service for Thapa was organised by the District Sports Association.