Uttarakhand man falls in 330 ft glacier gorge; rescued after six hours under challenging conditions

In a recent incident, 24-year-old Vijay Danu, while on a trek route in Uttarakhand's Pindari glacier, fell in a 330 feet gorge. Danu is a resident of a village named Khati. He was supervising labourers repairing the trekking route when the mishap occurred, TOI reported.

A 13-member team conducted the rescue operation which went on for six hours. The rescue team member had to take a 20 km trek to reach the spot which was at an altitude of almost 12,000 feet.

The publication further stated that the incident took place at around 7 pm near Jwarpani, which is approximately 7 km from Pindari glacier, and the labourers who were with Danu alerted the Kapkot police authorities for an urgent rescue operation.

Danu’s rescue team comprised the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), medical support, fire department as well as police officials. All of them had to drive to Khato village before taking up the 20 km trek which seemed quite challenging.

A member of the team, Rajender Rawat said, "We knew the risks, but we also knew someone's life depended on us."

Battling the freezing cold winds, Danu was rescued by the team but was badly injured, with severe trauma to the leg and head. Hypothermia also began setting in as he was stuck there for six hours.

Danu, made to lay on the stretcher, had to be carried back to Khati village on foot by the rescue team members.

Dr Manish Gururani who was in charge of the medical support throughout the journey said that every step seemed like a challenge. He further added, "The cold, exhaustion, and unforgiving terrain could have broken us, but the will to save him kept us going.”

By dawn, the team finally reached the village where Danu received initial treatment before he was taken to Kapkot's Community Health Centre, the report said.

Dr Brijesh Kishore Ghatiyal, who was in-charge of the hospital said that Danu survived despite partial paralysis and severe head trauma, and thereafter he was referred to another hospital for advanced care.

Danu’s brother Kailash said, "We thought we had lost him. What the police, villagers, and medical team have done is beyond words. They gave us back our brother."

Shikha Suyal, the District disaster management officer lauded the rescue teams effort in saving Danu under such harsh weather conditions and challenging environment.