Daijworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 13: A youth, who had gone down the well in the courtyard of his home at Thokkottu Bhatnagar faced danger to his life as poisonous gases at the bottom of the well suffocated him. He stayed there battling for life before some youngsters lifted him out of the well to safety. The incident occurred on Thursday May 12.

Prakash (31), whose family faced problem of drinking water shortage, had gone down his 35-feet deep well in his courtyard to clear the silt. Because of shortage of oxygen and poisonous gases at the bottom, he struggled for breath there and was immobilized.

Local youngsters were away attending a funeral. After they came to know that Prakash was trapped, some youngsters living some distance away rushed to the spot in their vehicles. Although two of them went down with the help of a rope, they could not reach Prakash because of poisonous gases.

Local, Mohan Bangera, tied a chair to the end of a rope, while another got down and tied Prakash to the chair. The chair was then lifted out, after which Prakash was provided first aid at a nearby hospital.

Although a fire brigade outpost is located at Deralakatte, a vehicle was not available there. As such there was delay on the part of the the fire brigade personnel in reaching the spot, it is learnt. Prakash, it is said, was saved because the locals did not wait for the fire brigade, and took up the task of saving him at considerable risk.