Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad is currently in a critical condition in the Research and Referral Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi, battling for this life with the same indomitable spirit that saw him through days under ice in subzero temperatures in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments. Currently all of India is praying for its soldier, this Miracle Man to pull through; the incredible story of survival against insurmountable odds.
The Indian Army’s #MiracleMan
Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad
On 3rd February 2016 a massive avalanche hit a forward post in the Siachen Glacier at an altitude of over 20,500 feet and ten soldiers were buried in this; all presumed dead. Only Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad survived in an air pocket that was created under the ice. With all soldiers presumed dead and the unimaginable difficulties of any rescue mission at that altitude in that temperature and terrain, he was found only 6 days later. His pulse was weak; he was drowsy and disoriented but miraculously alive!
It took intrepid rescuers, sniffer dogs, ice cutting machinery, sonar equipment, radar and other sophisticated gear to get to this lone survivor at 7.30 pm on Monday. He was transported to the Siachen base camp and then to Thoise air base after which an Indian Air Force plane got him to Delhi, to R&R and into the care of some of the country’s top medical professionals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXGzDMUrZhE
Quite astoundingly Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has not suffered cold exposure related frost bite or bony injuries. Apart from all the other astonishing details of this survival is the fact that the soldier survived all this time without water. However he is in a deep coma, has contracted pneumonia, and has liver and kidney dysfunction and so remains critical.
India prays for its Miracle Man
“No words are enough to describe the endurance and indomitable spirit of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa. He is an outstanding soldier,” said the Prime Minister who visited Lance Naik Hanumanthappa in hospital. Six doctors are currently monitoring Lance Naik Hanumanthappa round the clock with three specialists forming a core team in charge of the case. His family who reached him yesterday can barely believe this incredible news.
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Intensive organ damage means that the chances of survival are very low. However all of #IndiaPrays and joins the family and the military unit of this for the survival of this #MiracleMan.
Author – Reena Daruwalla
