Farrukhabad: A five-year-old girl was rescued after falling into a nearly 50-foot-deep well in the Kaimganj area of Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, following a three-hour operation in which police constable Manoj Kumar descended into the well with an oxygen cylinder and brought her out safely.
The incident occurred around 2 pm on Thursday when the girl, identified as Saumya, was returning home from school with her elder sister Ananya. She reportedly stepped onto the slab covering an old well near a platform in the village. The slab suddenly gave way, causing her to fall into the deep and narrow well.
Although the child remained visible from above, the rescue proved difficult because villagers feared poisonous gas and suffocation inside the old well.
Girl falls into well while returning from school
Saumya, a resident of Jahanpur village, is the third of four siblings. Her father, Pawan Kumar, works for a private company in Delhi.
According to the family, Saumya and her elder sister Ananya had gone to the primary school at Rasidabad Ballabh. After school ended, the sisters began walking home.
On the way, they stopped near a platform close to Dinesh’s house, where a swing was installed. After spending some time there, Saumya reportedly climbed onto the slab covering the nearby well.
The old slab suddenly broke, sending the five-year-old into the approximately 50-foot-deep well.
Ananya’s screams alerted nearby residents, who rushed to the spot. A large crowd soon gathered as villagers tried to figure out how to bring the child out.
Rescue attempts hampered by suffocation
The well was old and narrow, making it extremely difficult for rescuers to enter.
Several villagers initially attempted to descend using a rope. However, they reportedly experienced suffocation and were forced to return to the surface.
The fire brigade team was also called to the location. Pranshu, who was in charge of the fire brigade team, attempted to enter the well but could not successfully descend because of the conditions inside.
The possibility of poisonous gas in the well made the rescue operation particularly challenging.
Child asks for water from inside
While the rescue operation was underway, Saumya’s mother, Sapna, arrived at the location and was distraught.
However, the situation became somewhat reassuring when people standing above heard the child’s voice from inside the well. When she was called, Saumya reportedly asked for water.
Police personnel then lowered a water pot, known as a kamandal, using a rope. Water was sent down to the child twice, and she was able to drink it.
Hearing the child’s voice and learning that she was conscious gave rescuers and family members hope that she could be brought out safely.
Constable makes fourth attempt
Constable Manoj Kumar of the local police station then stepped forward to attempt the rescue.
Manoj reportedly tried to descend into the well three times. On each occasion, he had to return because of suffocation.
On his fourth attempt, he descended with an oxygen cylinder tied to his leg. The additional oxygen support enabled him to remain inside the well long enough to reach Saumya.
After considerable effort, Manoj managed to reach the girl and secure her. He then brought her out of the well in his arms.
The entire rescue operation lasted around three hours.
Officials supervise rescue operation
Senior officials reached the location after receiving information about the accident.
SDM Abhishek Verma, Tehsildar Harshit Singh, CO Rajesh Kumar Dwivedi and Crime Inspector B Yadav arrived at the spot along with police personnel.
The fire brigade and a team from the community health centre were also called to assist with the rescue and provide medical care once the child was brought out.
Officials and villagers breathed a sigh of relief when Manoj emerged from the well carrying Saumya safely.
The girl was immediately placed in an ambulance and taken to the community health centre for medical examination.
Girl’s condition stable
At the community health centre, Medical Superintendent Dr Vipin Kumar and Dr Amresh Kumar examined Saumya.
According to the doctors, her condition was stable. She was also administered oxygen following the rescue.
For further treatment and monitoring, doctors referred her to Lohia Hospital.
SDM Abhishek Verma said the girl had opened her eyes and was able to converse after being brought out of the well.
Scuffle breaks out during rescue
A large number of villagers gathered around the well as news of the rescue spread.
Police personnel repeatedly asked people to move away from the area to ensure that the rescue team had enough space to work safely.
During the effort to control the crowd, a soldier from the village reportedly got into an argument with a constable. The disagreement escalated into a brief scuffle.
Other police personnel intervened and separated the two before calming the situation.
The incident did not affect the rescue operation, which continued until Saumya was safely brought out.
Constable’s courage praised
The successful rescue brought considerable relief to Saumya’s family and the villagers who had gathered at the scene.
Constable Manoj Kumar’s efforts were particularly praised after he made repeated attempts to enter the dangerous well. After three unsuccessful attempts because of suffocation, he returned with an oxygen cylinder and finally reached the child.
The incident also highlighted the dangers associated with abandoned or old wells, particularly those with damaged or weakened coverings.
Officials said the immediate priority after the rescue was to ensure that the child received proper medical attention.
With Saumya safely evacuated and shifted to Lohia Hospital for further care, the three-hour rescue operation ended on a positive note.
Constable rescues 5-year-old girl from 50-foot well in UP
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