Rescue operation by locals brings down casualties

The massive rescue operations carried out by the local people of Kondotty taluk soon after the Air India Express aircraft accident has come in for huge applause. The CISF, state police, fire, rescue services staff and agencies did a commendable job in carrying out the rescue operations in record time.

“I saw the aircraft flying over the airport for some time. It was trying to land amid heavy rains. Soon I heard a deafening noise. We rushed to the spot and somehow managed to reach the aircraft. I could see people screaming, wailing and writhing in pain. Many were lying unconscious with broken limbs. Without waiting for a moment, we started to bring out people from the aircraft and rushing them to hospitals in whatever vehicles were available,” said Anzar, a local resident. Most passengers were wearing PPE kits and face shields. The rescuers took care in rescuing all children including infant from the aircraft.

Since most passengers were critically injured, rushing them to hospitals within the “golden hour” was crucial to save their lives. The doctors say the casualties could have been higher had the locals and security personnel not brought the injured to the hospital in time.

“It was an amazing rescue operation by the locals and the security personnel. We rarely see the speed and swiftness with which people were rescued from the site of such crash,” said Chief Minister Pinaryi Vijayan while addressing the media in Kozhikode.

“I heard a huge sound. From the terrace of my house I could see the aircraft crashing into the 35 ft valley. In no time I collected my friends and hopped into a pick-up van and rushed to the runway,” said Abhilash of Kondotty.

It seemed as if the entire village had descended on the spot to save people. “People just wanted to help in whatever way they could,” said a local.