'Never Again': American Travel Vlogger Hospitalised After Indian Train Journey; Sparks Online Debate
What was supposed to be an adventurous train journey across India turned into a health scare for American travel content creator Nick Maddock. The Missouri-based vlogger, known for chronicling his travels across over 120 countries, was recently hospitalised with a severe respiratory infection-something he claims was triggered by a 15-hour sleeper train journey from Varanasi to New Jalpaiguri.
'Never Again,' Says Maddock
In a now-viral Instagram post, Maddock shared clips from his hospital bed in Bhutan, where he is currently receiving treatment. He described his third AC coach experience as one of the most unhygienic travel moments in his six-year journey across the globe. Despite acknowledging the warmth and generosity of the Indian people and the country’s cultural richness, Maddock was candid about his disappointment with the train’s sanitation conditions. 'No higher class was available,' he explained, 'but it doesn’t have to be this way.'
Documenting the conditions
The content creator didn’t just voice his concerns-he documented them. In one video clip from the train’s washroom, Maddock showed visibly poor hygiene levels, including what appeared to be human waste on the floor and vomit in the sink. The on-screen text read: 'He doesn’t know it yet, but 72 hours from now he’ll be in the hospital.'
According to Maddock, two individuals had recommended he take the train journey. He captioned the post with dry humor: 'Take the 15-hour Indian train, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.'
Internet divided over criticism
The video quickly gained traction online, with viewers expressing mixed reactions. While many sympathised with Maddock's ordeal, others accused him of portraying India in a negative light to attract views.
Some users criticised his travel choices, suggesting that foreigners often venture into economically disadvantaged areas and then generalise about the country’s condition. One commenter asked him to increase his budget and book a better class next time. Others questioned why foreign travelers insist on traveling on a tight budget in developing nations.
Maddock responds to backlash
Faced with mounting criticism, Maddock didn’t shy away from responding. 'Is it too much to ask to clean up the piles of shit off your train floors?' he wrote in one comment. He later added, 'I’ve never received so much hatred for calling out a dirty bathroom with literal shit and vomit in it.”
Despite the online vitriol, he maintained a balanced perspective: 'It’s actually surprising because people in India were so kind and warm and welcoming. I’ll try not to let the keyboard warriors change my good perspective.'
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