5 hours in a death trap: Kerala Fire Force rescues Chennai man fallen off Kolukkumalai cliff

Thodupuzha (Kerala): Kolukkumalai was enveloped in mist and clouds. Right ahead lay a sheer, treacherous drop over steep rock faces, a dizzying abyss. It was into this very death trap that Karthik, a 31-year-old native of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, plunged. Falling nearly 500 feet, what followed were harrowing moments driven by the sheer fear of death.

Yet, messengers of hope descended into that desolate depth where human footprints rarely tread. Following a five-hour operation, his life was saved, led by the Munnar Fire and Rescue Services.

The accident occurred around 8 am on Wednesday at the Simhappara (Lion Rock) area in Kolukkumalai. Karthik, who had arrived with friends to visit Kolukkumalai, suffered a bout of dizziness and tumbled off the cliff into the gorge.

The fire brigade rushed to the scene and scrambled down the depths of Kolukkumalai. Karthik was found suspended among the wild grass nearly 500 feet down, miraculously prevented from slipping further into the void.

Roping down into the abyss

The rugged terrain and loose soil, prone to caving in, presented a severe challenge to the rescue effort. Undeterred, seven firefighters lowered themselves into the gorge on ropes. Local residents and jeep drivers stepped in to assist, watching on with bated breath. The firefighters located Karthik lying completely motionless on the grassy slope, reassured him that help was at hand, and carefully secured him to a stretcher. Hauling the ropes with utmost caution to avoid the sharp rocks, the team dragged him back to safety. Five hours felt like five long decades. Ultimately, everyone reached the top safely to a burst of applause from the locals.

The rescue operation was spearheaded by Station Officer Noble George and Assistant Station Officer Thambidurai. Karthik was admitted to a hospital in Munnar; he sustained severe eye injuries.