K'taka: Boy falls into 300-feet deep borewell; rescue efforts on

A six-year-old boy fell into an open borewell today at Sulikeri village, some 15 km from here, following which authorities have launched rescue operation.

"Efforts are on to rescue him," Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner P A Meghannavar said.
Tipanna Hatti fell into the 300-feet borewell in his father's sugarcane field while he had gone there with his 12-year-old cousin at around 2.15 pm, Meghannavar said.

Special rescue teams from Hatti Gold Mines have been sought by the district administration to expedite the efforts to rescue him, he said.

The boy is at a depth of 150 feet and rescuers are trying to gain access, he said, adding, at present two earth removal machines are being engaged in the operation.

Oxygen is being supplied into the borwell to keep the boy alive, Meghannavar said. "We could hear the boy calling amma, amma (mother)," he said.

District Incharge Minister S R Patil is also camping at the site, supervising the rescue operations.

On June 17, a four-year-old girl had fallen into an open borewell at Nagathana village, near Bijapur and she was found dead after a 50-hour-long rescue operation.