Goa: In a dramatic turn of events, a 29-year-old Australian tourist, identified as Fleming Daniel Luke, was successfully rescued from a 45-foot deep well near the Julie Jolly hotel in Vagator, Anjuna. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, and the tourist was evacuated safely by a team of firefighters from the Mapusa fire station.
According to officials, the tourist, who was taking a leisurely walk in the area, accidentally fell into the well after failing to notice its presence. The low embankment around the well might have contributed to the oversight.
Upon realizing his predicament, the tourist raised an alarm, attracting the attention of the staff from a nearby hotel. The hotel staff promptly investigated the situation and discovered the tourist trapped in the well. They immediately contacted the Mapusa fire station for assistance.
The Mapusa firefighting team, responding swiftly to the distress call at around 3:56 am, initiated a rescue operation. Using a rope ladder, a firefighter descended into the well and provided a life jacket to the stranded Australian. Subsequently, a harness was secured around him, and with coordinated efforts, the firefighters successfully pulled him to safety
Despite the harrowing experience, the Australian tourist emerged from the incident without any injuries. The entire rescue operation, from the arrival of the firefighting team to the tourist's extraction, lasted approximately an hour.
The incident underscores the importance of maintaining safety measures in popular tourist areas, and authorities may consider reevaluating the visibility and safeguards around such wells to prevent future accidents. The successful rescue serves as a testament to the efficiency and professionalism of the firefighting team in ensuring the well-being of visitors to the region.