Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Apr 6: In a miraculous incident, a man who accidentally fell into a well and battled for life for three days has survived and been rescued at Kambalakatte in Adi Udupi.

The survivor has been identified as Srinivasa Acharya, around 62 years, a resident of Kambalakatte. He had fallen into a well with about 20 feet of water and struggled between life and death for three days before being rescued.

Srinivasa Acharya, who lives alone, had suffered from health issues two months ago but had recovered. Last Saturday evening, he attempted to pull up a rope tied to a football pipe connected to the pump, as garbage had fallen into the well in front of his house (10 feet wide and 20 feet deep), affecting water flow. During this attempt, the rope snapped, causing him to lose balance and fall into the well. Though he fell into the water, he managed to survive by holding onto the football pipe and the rope inside the well, shouting for help. However, his cries went unheard.

Srinivasa had booked a gas cylinder but, due to the delay, had borrowed one from an acquaintance named Ganesh. When Ganesh later needed the cylinder and contacted Srinivasa, he was informed that the booked cylinder had not yet arrived and would be returned once it did. After three to four days, Ganesh contacted the gas agency and requested them to deliver a cylinder to Srinivasa at the earliest. However, the agency staff informed him that they had visited the house but Srinivasa had not been home for two days.

Growing suspicious, Ganesh contacted tenants staying in his house about 90 metres away from Srinivasa’s residence and asked them to check on him. The tenants searched around the house and, on suspicion, looked into the well, where they found Srinivasa Acharya exhausted, holding onto the rope and football pipe after being trapped inside for three days.

Locals immediately placed a ladder into the well and asked him to climb up. However, weakened due to lack of food for three days, he was unable to do so. The fire department was then alerted.

Upon receiving the information, the fire team, including leading firefighters Satish and Ashwin Sanil, driver Bharat N, and firefighters Ganesh Vetal and Mahanthesh, rushed to the spot. With the help of locals, they descended into the well and safely rescued Acharya, who was then admitted to a private hospital.

He was later shifted to the district hospital. Having recovered, Srinivasa Acharya is expected to return home on Monday.