Miraculous Rescue in Cherthala as Firefighters Save Coconut Plucker from 40-Ft Fall
A routine day of work turned into a life-threatening ordeal for a coconut plucker in Cherthala, Kerala, on Saturday, but a heroic intervention by fire and rescue personnel ensured a miraculous escape. Varghese, a 55-year-old laborer who earns his livelihood by plucking coconuts, was engaged in his usual work when disaster struck.
A Sudden Collapse from Great Heights
Varghese was using a climbing machine to ascend a 50-foot coconut tree when the metal rope, which is used to straighten the curve of the tree, unexpectedly snapped. This caused him to collapse while he was nearly at the top of the tree. In a stroke of luck, one of his legs became entangled in the coconut climbing machine, leaving him hanging upside down from the tree with his foot stuck. The precarious situation posed an immediate risk of a fatal fall to the ground.
Rapid Response by Fire and Rescue Team
Upon arrival, the fire and rescue team faced a critical challenge with very little time to act. Fire station officer Sreekumar A. emphasized the urgency, stating, "We had very little time to plan a rescue act, as the possibility of the person falling down was high." The team quickly brought a ladder to the scene, but the rescue was complicated by the tree's proximity to a road, a wall, and an electric line underneath, making it difficult to spread a safety net effectively.
Heroic Act in the Nick of Time
As rescue personnel Legy C Sekhar climbed the ladder to reach Varghese, the situation escalated when Varghese's foot became dislodged from the machine, causing him to start falling. In a split-second decision, Legy managed to grab hold of Varghese, preventing him from losing balance and ensuring he did not plummet to the ground. This swift action was crucial in saving the coconut plucker's life.
Securing the Rescue and Aftermath
Soon after, another fire personnel, Unny, climbed the ladder and used a towel to tie Varghese securely to the ladder. The team then successfully brought up a safety net and carefully lowered Varghese to the ground unharmed. He was subsequently admitted to Cherthala Taluk Hospital for observation. According to Sreekumar, Varghese's condition is good, and he is recovering well from the traumatic incident.
This incident highlights the bravery and quick thinking of fire and rescue personnel in Kerala, who risk their lives to save others in perilous situations. The community in Cherthala has expressed relief and gratitude for the successful rescue operation that averted what could have been a tragic outcome.
