The CEO of an Illinois-based technology business died in a bizarre accident while celebrating the company’s anniversary, according to CBS station WBBM-TV.
Sanjay Shah, CEO of Vistex, died from injuries incurred in an accident at the company’s silver jubilee celebrations at Ramoji Film City in India, according to the Times of India. Police told the magazine that the company’s president, Raju Datla, was also critically hurt.
Vistex had arranged for its staff to stay at Ramoji Film City and planned a two-day event to commemorate its 25th anniversary. According to a corporate spokesperson who talked with The Times of India, the incident in which Shah and Raju were dropped from a cage onto the stage was a premeditated stunt to kick off the festivities.
According to a video shared by the New York Post, Shah and his colleague Datla entered an iron cage set to be lowered from an unidentified height during the celebrations on Thursday evening. One of the shackles broke, allowing both men to fall, with one crashing head-first on the ground. The incident is still under investigation, authorities confirmed Monday.
Suddenly, one of the two wires connecting the cage snapped. “Both fell more than 15 feet and landed on the concrete dais,” authorities told the Times of India. “This caused multiple injuries.”
Medics rushed them to the hospital before transferring them to a corporate hospital, where they were in severe condition. According to CBS, Shah hurt his leg and hand, while Datla sustained a severe brain injury. Shah died in the hospital, while Datla was listed in serious condition on Monday, CBS said.
What is Vistex?
Vistex, situated in Illinois, manages revenue for companies such as General Motors, Barilla, Bayer, and Coca-Cola.
The company’s website describes the firm as “a trusted partner” for firms aiming to maximize their revenue sources.
More about Shah and Datla
Shah founded the Vistex Foundation and the Institute for Executive Learning and Research at Lehigh University. He also formed the Vistex Foundation, which awards funding to non-profits for health, education, and basic needs programs.
In addition, Shah established Vistex Hospital in Bihar, India, which provides basic and secondary health care to underserved regions.
According to Vistex’s website, Datla has been with the company since 2000 and has made important contributions to the development and expansion of the firm’s Solution Delivery capabilities.