Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 28: A 33 year-old skier was rescued by a team of Army when he fell into a deep gorge after breaking away with his group.
Udhampur-based Defence spokesman, Col SD Goswami, said in a statement that the skier, Dimitry Lobanov, a Russian National, was rescued by the team from Army’s High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in the upper reaches of Apharwat in Gulmarg area of North Kashmir.
“Dimitry Lobanov, who was part of a group of six foreign nationals from Russia, was skiing with his group in the higher reaches on Apharwat, where he lost control and fell in a deep gorge covered with snow. The skiier had suffered severe injuries, resulting in multiple fractures due to the fall. The distress call from the group was immediately responded by a team from HAWS,” Col Goswami said.
He said the team from HAWS immediately reached the accident site and rescued the individual from a deep gorge and provided first aid and support. “Then, they quickly evacuated him using stretcher, from Apharwat via Khilanmarg to the Army Medical Inspection Room at Gulmarg,” the Defence spokesman said.
The rescue team had to wade through thick snow cover for six kilometers to reach the medical post where the individual was resuscitated and his medical condition stabilized by Army Doctors, he said. “Timely recovery, rescue and evacuation of foreign national by the Indian Army saved his life,” Col Goswami added.