In a remarkable display of quick thinking and bravery, local residents and an ASHA worker in Odisha's Sundargarh district became the first responders to a small aircraft crash on Saturday, successfully rescuing all six people on board.
Villagers Spring into Action After Hearing Crash
The incident occurred around 1:20 PM on Saturday when a small plane made a forced landing in a field near Kainser village. Shankar Lohar, 59, a resident of nearby Gadiatola, was the first to react. "I heard a loud sound and came out to see the plane had fallen in the field," he recounted. He immediately ran towards the site, followed by his younger brother Shiv Lohar and several other youths from Gadiatola and Kainser.
Upon reaching the wreckage, they found a scene of distress. One pilot was critically injured, while the other pilot and four passengers were also hurt and calling for help. The rescuers' initial attempt to extract the severely injured pilot through a broken emergency window proved futile. "The other pilot instructed us to use the main exit door instead," Shankar explained. Working together, the group carefully brought out the injured couple, both pilots, and another man and woman.
ASHA Worker's Timely Intervention
Maneka Singh, 41, an ASHA worker from Kainser, witnessed the final moments of the flight. "I was going to fetch water when I saw the plane flying very low. It hit a high-tension wire and then crashed into the field," she said. Without a second thought, she sprinted to the location. By the time she arrived, locals had already gathered and she joined the ongoing rescue efforts. "I am just happy their lives were saved," Maneka stated.
Race Against Time and Danger
The rescue was fraught with danger. One of the injured pilots urgently warned the villagers about fuel leaking from the aircraft's wing, raising fears of a potential fire. Heeding the warning but undeterred, the team completed the evacuation swiftly. After ensuring all survivors were out, they immediately alerted the local police and called for ambulances.
Shankar Lohar, who lives merely 50 metres from the crash site, accompanied the injured to the hospital. He expressed relief upon learning that all victims were now in stable condition. The rescue team included Shankar, his brother Shiv (45), Shankar's son Sahil Lohar, and numerous other local youths and women who assisted in shifting the injured to medical care.
This incident highlights the crucial role of community response in emergencies, especially in remote areas. The collective and courageous actions of ordinary villagers and a healthcare worker prevented a greater tragedy in Sundargarh district.
