91-Year-Old Australian Tourist Dies During Ganga Cruise in Munger, Last Rites Performed in India

Munger: A 91-year-old Australian tourist, Donald Sams, passed away while on a Ganga cruise in Munger, Bihar. Sams, who was traveling with a group of 26 Australian tourists, had embarked on the journey from Kolkata to Patna on February 10 aboard the Pando Cruise.

On Friday night, as the cruise reached Babua Ghat in Munger, Sams suddenly fell critically ill. The cruise staff immediately alerted the local administration, and with their assistance, he was rushed to a private nursing home, where doctors declared him dead. According to medical reports, the cause of death was natural, attributed to old age. 

Following his demise, the district administration promptly informed the Australian High Commission in India. After discussions with his wife, Alys, and the Australian authorities, it was decided to conduct his last rites in Munger itself.

A magistrate was appointed as per the District Magistrate’s (DM) orders, and arrangements were made for a church pastor to perform the Christian burial rituals. His funeral took place at the Christian cemetery in Churamba, attended by his wife and fellow Australian tourists.

Sams Had Willed to Be Buried in India

Donald Sams had a deep emotional connection with India, which he visited 12 times throughout his life. His wife, Alys, revealed that he had explicitly stated in his will that after his death, he wished to be buried in a Christian cemetery in India.

Sams’ bond with India traced back to his father, a British Army officer, who was stationed in Assam during British rule. Growing up, Sams frequently visited India, particularly Assam, and developed an enduring love for the country.

In a remarkable coincidence, he passed away while in India and was laid to rest in Munger, which fortunately had a Christian cemetery. The Australian tourists accompanying him expressed their gratitude to the Munger district administration for their prompt support and arrangements.