Odisha CM’s Shoutout To Rescuers Who Saved Boy Trapped In Stone Groove [Watch]

Nayagargh: A minor boy, who got trapped inside a narrow stone groove while collecting honey in the dense Kanipada forest of Odisha’s Nayagarh district, was rescued on Wednesday following a challenging operation.

According to sources, the boy, identified as Shiba Pradhan, a resident of Kanipada village, had entered the forest in the Odagaon Baunshagadia area to gather honey. His head reportedly got stuck as he stretched to collect honey from a wild hive lodged in a narrow gap between two large boulders. He remained trapped for more than five hours before being rescued.

Locals who first found the boy in distress, immediately alerted the fire services. Two teams from Odagaon and Nayagarh Fire Stations rushed to the remote forested area and launched a coordinated rescue effort. Fire personnel used hydraulic jacks to carefully lift the heavy stones without causing further injury. A control room was also established in Nayagarh to monitor the progress of the operation in real time.

Officials maintained constant communication with the boy throughout the rescue, keeping him calm and reassured. His condition remained stable. The operation was complicated by the difficult terrain, and demanded precision and patience, especially after rescuers spotted a venomous snake near a stone close to the rescue site. Despite these challenges, the joint team managed to finally pulled him to safety.

He was the shifted for medical examination following the rescue. “I stretched my hand into the crevice to reach the hive, but somehow my head and hand got stuck. I couldn’t pull myself through the gap between the rocks,” Sibha told reporters.

Fire Services DG Sudhanshu Sarangi said the rescue operation was both unusual and technically challenging. “We couldn’t move heavy vehicles close to the spot. Equipment had to be brought from Bhubaneswar. The firefighters removed boulders after the backside, following which the boy was rescued. Thankfully, the python did not harm the boy,” he added.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi shared the update on X, highlighting the team’s efforts: “In the Kanipada forest of Nayagarh, the Odisha Fire and Emergency Services successfully and safely rescued a 14-year-old boy who was in a helpless situation. The indomitable courage and technical expertise shown by our rescue team in the complex situation is truly commendable. For our government, the safety and welfare of every life in the state is of paramount importance. This promptness and timely action in times of disaster truly reflects an efficient administration. We do not merely make resolutions but are committed to becoming a security shield for the people of Odisha in every crisis.”

Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly Naveen Patnaik also lauded the efforts of the fire service personnel. “Their timely efforts and dedication have saved the child’s life. Such work is a testament to the boundless expertise of the Odisha Fire Services,” he posted on X.