Blind curve, deep gorge, miracle rescue: MP driver survives 3 days in wrecked truck; rescued after GPS tracker beeps back to life

BHOPAL: Hanging between life and death for nearly three days, with no help in sight, after his vehicle plunged into a deep gorge in Pandhurna district of Madhya Pradesh, a truck driver was rescued after the GPS tracker in his heavy-loader beeped back to life and revealed his location.

The truck, loaded with corn, had departed from Chand village on Tuesday for the Borgaon industrial area in Sausar tehsil, a journey of about 130 km. When the vehicle failed to reach its destination within the expected time and the driver could not be contacted, the owner, Ravi Baghel, accessed the vehicle's GPS data on Thursday morning.

The GPS coordinates showed the truck stationary at a blind curve in the Silewani Valley. Suspecting a major accident, Baghel rushed to the spot along with his staff and informed local police. The truck was found at the bottom of a nearly 200-foot-deep gorge, badly damaged, with the driver hanging on for dear life. The driver, identified as Asif Khan of Seoni district, was found trapped inside the cabin. His leg was pinned under the vehicle, leaving him immobilised.

Despite being stuck in the gorge for close to 72 hours, Khan was conscious when the rescue team reached him. Officials said he had survived without food and help during the period. A difficult and daunting rescue operation was launched, with teams using ropes and equipment to reach the driver deep inside the ravine.

After several hours of effort, Khan was pulled out and given first aid at the spot. More than one crane had to be deployed later to recover the truck from the gorge, a process that took several more hours due to the depth of the gorge and the unforgiving terrain.

Umranala police, which responded to the accident, said the injured driver was referred to Chhindwara district hospital for treatment. "The rescue was possible only after the truck's GPS location was traced by its owner. We are investigating how the accident occurred, and if speed or poor visibility at the blind turn played a role," a police officer said.