In a dramatic rescue operation early Friday morning, ten members of two rescue teams saved a Pune-based real estate broker who had slipped 200 feet down a valley in the Tamhini ghat stretch under Mangaon taluka, Raigad. The victim, Sandesh Hadvale (47), accidentally fell around 2 am while answering nature's call, losing his footing in the darkness.
Details of the Incident
Hadvale was returning to Pune from Chiplun, Ratnagiri, with his driver. He got out of the car and slipped into the valley, sustaining massive fractures in his right leg along with other injuries. The local police suspect he may have been under the influence of alcohol at the time. According to reports, Hadvale had allegedly crossed the gap between roadside safety walls, leading to his loss of balance.
Rescue Operation
The rescue teams included members from Sahyadri Vanyajeev Rakshanarth Samajik Sanstha, Kolad, led by Sagar Dahimbekar. After the driver alerted authorities, Mangaon police reached the spot at 3 am. The rescue operation, conducted in complete darkness, was completed by 5:30 am. Constable Yuvraj Dahiphale stated that the adventure sports rope brought by the first rescue team from Vira Patnus fell short of reaching the victim. Subsequently, another team was called in to assist. Both rescue teams, along with the police, managed to pull Hadvale out of the valley. An ambulance was stationed at the scene, but Hadvale preferred to travel in his own car due to pre-existing ligament issues. He was rushed to a hospital in Pune for treatment.
Challenges Faced
Dahimbekar described the operation as extremely tough, emphasizing that the rescue was carried out under challenging conditions of darkness and difficult terrain. The victim's driver played a crucial role in alerting authorities promptly.
