A 35-year-old woman in Bhandari Mal village under Jujumura police limits of Odisha’s Sambalpur district had a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday when she became trapped between a giant tree and a large rock while trying to navigate a narrow path near a cave, a fire service officer said.
The woman, identified as Sujata Meher of Marangabahal village under Jujumara police limits, was trapped for over five hours and rescued by the fire services personnel, the officer said.
The incident unfolded amidst a large gathering of nearly 500 devotees who had ascended the hill. They were there to offer prayers and visit the sacred cave, which holds significant spiritual importance for the community.
On the occasion of ‘Kartik Purnima’, a large number of people visit the cave in the hills to perform puja. Sujata also visited the place for the darshan.
According to local villagers, the cave is a popular destination because many people believe that successfully passing through its narrow passages brings divine blessings and promotes good health.
Sujata got trapped among the large boulders after entering the narrow passage beneath a banyan tree
Upon receiving the distress call, fire service personnel from both Maneswar and Jujumura stations reached the spot and launched a challenging rescue operation. The firefighters had to engage mechanical saw cutters, chisels, hammers and screwdrivers to slowly clear the trapped area without causing further injury to the woman. She was finally rescued after an extended operation lasting over two hours.
Following her rescue, Sujata was transferred to an ambulance and shited to a hospital, where her health condition is stated to be stable, the officer added.
