10-Day Ordeal Ends On Happy Note For Rourkela Boy Stuck In Overhead Tank

Rourkela: A missing minor boy survived on water for 10 long days before being rescued by by railway staff and locals from an overhead tank at Bondamunda Sector-B here on Wednesday.

According to sources, 14-year-old Pritam of Dumerta Cinema Toli village under Bondamunda police limits went missing on August 18. After frantically searching for him for two days, his family members lodged a missing complaint at Bandhumunda Police station on August 21.

Meanwhile, the boy got stuck inside the 30-ft-high water tank at the Railway Colony in Bondamunda while chasing a pigeon. After climbing atop the water tank, he accidentally fell into it and was unable to climb out of it. Since the water tank is situated at an isolated place, all his cry for help went unheard. Luckily for him, the water level stayed around knee level all these days.

Fate finally smiled on him and some locals heard his screams on Wednesday. They immediately informed Bandhumunda Police and Water Works department who pulled Pritam out of the tank with the help of a rope.

He was then taken to the Railway Hospital, Bondamunda, and handed over to his family after the doctors declared him clinically fit, the sources added.