A man slipped and fell around 100 feet into a valley while attempting to take a selfie in the Nilgiris. The incident reportedly took place at the Needle Rock View Point (Oosimalai), a location known for its wide scenic views.
The man has been identified as Sivagurunathan, a resident of Chengalpattu. He fell into a steep valley on Thursday while visiting the viewpoint, according to a report by NDTV.
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Officials cited by NDTV said there was difficulty in locating him initially due to low visibility and the challenging terrain in the area.
After he was traced, rescue teams reached him and provided first aid, but bringing him back up was difficult because of the depth of the valley and the rocky surroundings.
As local teams faced limitations, authorities sought assistance from the military cantonment in Wellington. Personnel from the armed forces joined fire and rescue service teams, using ropes and specialised equipment to carry out the rescue.
Rescue operations continued through the night under difficult conditions, including poor lighting and uneven ground.
A police officer told NDTV that, "the operation went on for several hours overnight and he was brought up only early in the morning with the help of ropes."
The man was eventually pulled to safety in the early hours of Friday and shifted for medical evaluation. Officials said he is stable but remains under observation.
Meanwhile, the incident has again drawn attention to safety concerns at tourist locations, especially at high-risk viewpoints in hill areas.
Authorities have also urged advised visitors to be cautious and avoid going too close to cliff edges while taking photographs.
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According to a BBC report citing a 2018 global study, as many as 259 people lost their lives between 2011 and 2017 while attempting extreme selfies.
These areas include mountain tops, high-rise buildings and water bodies, where a significant number of these fatalities have occurred.
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