Sober Dutch courage and cliff-hanging rescue op saves man from fall at World’s End
In what would have looked like a scene from an action movie, a Dutchman was brought to safety from a near- death- situation, in a daring rescue operation by soldiers, after he tripped and hurtled down the precipice at ‘ World’s End’ in Horton Plains yesterday.
According to officials L. Mathalin, 35, who was in Sri Lanka on his honeymoon, had gone too close to the edge to take a photograph when he tripped and went over.
Miraculously Mr. Mathalin had managed to cling on to a branch of a tree about 25 metres into his fall.
Other tourists who witnessed the fall had alerted the local police who called in the army. An air force helicopter was also called to provide assistance if needed.
According to officials Mr. Mathalin clung on for his dear life for almost three-and a half hours, the time it took his saviour, Corporal Sudesh Nalinda to reach him with the assistance of fellow soldiers.
The soldier from the 3rd Sinha Regiment made his way down the precipice with the aid of ropes while other soldiers remained at the top of the cliff.
The soldiers who carried the Dutchman on their shoulders had to trudge a distance of about five kilometres to reach a vehicle that took him to hospital.
The victim’s wife Linda, a social worker back in the Netherlands, praised the bravery of the local troops. Mr. Mathalin who had sustained minor bruises and scratches was later discharged from hospital.
The couple along with their guide had left for World’s End from their hotel in Nuwara Eliya around 4.30 a.m. and the incident had occurred around 9.a.m.