Ahmedabad witnessed a tense rescue operation on Saturday afternoon after a youth climbed a tall tree near Jamalpur flyover and refused to come down, forcing a nearly one-hour operation by fire and police teams.
The incident was reported around 2:30 pm when the youth, identified as a resident of Guptanagar in Vasna, reached the Jamalpur flyover. Using branches of a peepal tree growing close, he jumped from the flyover onto the tree and climbed rapidly to the top.
According to fire officials, he stayed perched high up for about 20 to 25 minutes, shouting and raising political slogans. His actions drew a large crowd, creating panic in the busy area. Since the spot is directly opposite the Jamalpur fire station, firefighters reached within minutes.
Rescuing him proved difficult as he kept moving between branches to avoid being caught. To evade rescue, the youth jumped from one branch to another, triggering panic among onlookers and emergency service members.
Coordinated rescue efforts
The fire department launched a coordinated operation using a high-rise ladder, also known as a snorkel. Two firefighters approached him through the branches from the bridge, while two others moved in from above using the ladder, officials said.
Pravinsinh Solanki, the station officer who handled the operation, explained the sequence of events. The team worked carefully to avoid any injury to the youth or themselves.
"After nearly an hour of coordinated efforts, the four firemen managed to overpower the youth and secure him. He was then carefully brought down the ladder without injury," a fire officer said.
Post-rescue developments
However, once on the ground, the youth again tried to escape, apparently to avoid being taken into custody. Police said he appeared to be mentally unstable and was sent to a hospital for treatment. Further action will depend on medical assessment and police inquiry.
The swift response by the fire and police departments ensured that the situation was resolved without any casualties. The area near Jamalpur flyover returned to normal after the youth was taken away.
