Sambalpur: A newborn baby, who was trapped inside an abandoned borewell in a forest near Laripali village under Rengali police limits in Odisha’s Sambalpur district, was rescued on Tuesday night.
A joint team of police, Fire Brigade and ODRAF was engaged in the rescue operation after the locals passing through Sriram Budha forest heard cries of a baby from the borewell and informed the police.
With the help of three JCB machines, the rescue team dug up a parallel ditch around one foot from the borewell pipe under the supervision of Block Divisional Officer (BDO) Krushna Chandra Dalapati and Regali police station IIC Sudarshan Panda.
An ambulance with emergency medical equipment was also rushed to the spot. As an urgent measure, oxygen was pumped inside the pipe to help the infant breath easily. A victim location camera was also flown in a helicopter from Bhubaneswar to help the rescue team pinpoint the spot where the baby was lying.
After reaching a depth of around 25 ft, the team cut the borewell pipe with an electric cutter initially and then with hand saw.
Meanwhile, as the evening set in, an electric bulb of 100 watt was sent inside the pipe to keep the baby warm. All the while, the cry of the baby was heard from inside giving hope to the rescuers.
After the rescue operation lasting for nearly hours, the rescue team safely brought the baby out of the borewell pipe. The baby was rushed to the hospital for health check-up.
Expressing his happiness over the safe rescue of the baby, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “It’s a matter of great relief. I wish a long life for the baby. May God bless her.”
The Chief Minister also congratulated the rescue teams of ODRAF, Fire Services, district administration, police, medical team and praised their coordinated efforts.