Bantwal: Missing elder found alive in drain after three days, rescued

Bantwal: Missing elder found alive in drain after three days, rescued

Mangalore Today News Network

Bantwal, Aug 1, 2026: A 75-year-old man who had been missing for the past three days was found alive in a water drain inside an arecanut plantation at Kukkila in Vitla Padnur village after an extensive search operation. He was rescued in a critical condition, rushed to hospital, and is now reported to be out of danger.

The rescued man has been identified as Giriyappa Sapalya (75), a resident of Kukkila. After he went missing three days ago, his family lodged a missing person complaint at the Vitla Police Station.

Following the complaint, personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services conducted search operations in nearby ponds and streams, suspecting that he might have fallen into the water. However, despite several hours of searching, no trace of him was found.

On Friday morning, family members, volunteers from the Kodapadavu Maruti Friends team, and local residents resumed the search. During the operation, Giriyappa was found lying unconscious in a water-filled drain running through an arecanut plantation in Kukkila.

The rescuers immediately pulled him out of the drain, administered first aid at the spot, and shifted him to the Government Hospital in Vitla. Doctors said he is responding well to treatment and is now out of danger.

The rescue operation was led by Manohar of the Kodapadavu Maruti Friends team. District BJP spokesperson Madhava Maave, Mani Mahashakti Kendra president Aravind Rai, Raitha Morcha president Umesh Shetty, volunteers Sitaram Gowda, Murali Bhat, Manohar Kukkila, and several local residents actively assisted in the search and rescue efforts.