Indian Army rescues a trekker stuck on a hill for over 40 hours.
He had been trapped in a niche on the hill for about two days.
The Indian Army on Wednesday rescued a trekker who was trapped on a hill in a village of Kerala’s.
He is 23 old, had been trapped in a niche on the hill for over 40 hours without food and water.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi had said that efforts were in full swing to rescue him. Two units of the Army were called for assistance. The government had also sought help from the Air Force.
The Indian Army mountaineering teams have successfully secured a young trekker and are nearing the completion of an uphill climb to safety. On Wednesday morning, Army teams began to ascend the steep hillock, by securing the trekker, using ropes and harness. He had been stuck at a narrow crevice at the hillock in Kerala after he slipped and fell during a group trekking expedition he undertook on Monday. He had been stuck at a steep hillside crevice for over 43 hours, without food and water.
He had trekked up the mountain with two of his friends. However, the other two abandoned the effort halfway, while he continued to climb.
The 23-year-old then slipped and got stuck inside a small cavity on the side of the hill. He had also injured his leg in the process. His friends, who attempted to rescue him initially, had then reached out to authorities for help.
On Monday night, District Disaster Management Authority officials and volunteers attempted to rescue him, but they could not reach him.
The district administration then asked the Indian Coast Guard to assist in the operation. A chopper made several sorties in the area, but returned as an airlift plan failed due to poor weather.
On Tuesday, the spokesperson for the defense unit in Trivandrum said that mountaineering experts from the Indian Army have been being sent for the rescue operation. The spokesperson also said that the Indian Coast Guard chopper will make sorties in the early hours on Wednesday.
Indian Army teams from Wellington, Tamil Nadu and Bengaluru mobilized on an emergency basis and reached the site by late Tuesday night and commenced their efforts. Around 9 30 am on Wednesday, the teams gained access to the trekker, who was in a weak condition owing to being starved for over 40 hours.
On Tuesday, videos from the spot showed the trapped youngster signalling for help and asking for food and water. Efforts by National Disaster Response Force(NDRF) teams also went in vain. On Tuesday afternoon, a Coast Guard helicopter overflew the hill and conducted an aerial recce. However, owing to various factors, the helicopter could not be landed on the hilltop. Owing to wind conditions and the challenges related to terrain, the chopper pilot had to abort the mission.
The Army personnel brought the youth back to safety by 10 08 am. Local bodies and the National Disaster Response Force also assisted in the operation.
After the rescue, he thanked the Indian Army.
In a tweet, Vijaya said that the “worries have been put to rest” as the youth has been rescued.
“The treatment and care needed to regain his health will be provided now,” he added. Thanks to the soldiers who led the rescue operation and everyone who provided timely support.
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