Meghalaya: Runner Retina Hanse Dies in Scooter-Truck Crash

SHILLONG- A promising young athlete from Meghalaya, Retina Hanse, died in a road accident at Sumer in Ri-Bhoi District, leaving the state’s sporting community in mourning.

The 23-year-old athlete was riding pillion on a scooter driven by her brother, Celestial Hanse, when their vehicle reportedly collided with a truck. According to reports, the impact caused Retina Hanse to fall from the scooter, and she sustained fatal head injuries after hitting a stone.

She later succumbed to her injuries, while her brother survived the accident with minor injuries.

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Hanse hailed from Khamar village in Ri-Bhoi district and had built a reputation as one of the state’s most promising athletes. Over the years, she represented Meghalaya in several regional and national competitions, bringing recognition to the state through her performances.

Among her achievements, she became the first female athlete from Meghalaya to win a medal at the East Zone Junior Athletics Championship, securing gold in the Under-16 800 metres event in Kolkata in 2017.

She also won multiple medals at the State Level Inter School Athletic Meet and performed strongly in regional sporting events. At the North East Games 2022 held in Shillong, she secured one gold and two bronze medals. She later added a silver and a bronze medal at the North East Games 2024 in Nagaland.

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At the time of the accident, Hanse was training at the Sports Authority of India centre in Shillong and had been preparing for upcoming competitions, including the 39th National Games.

Her sudden death has been widely mourned by athletes, coaches, and sports officials across Meghalaya, who described her as a dedicated sportsperson whose determination and achievements inspired many young athletes in the region.