Toddler's body fished out

Yerwada fire station officers recovered a body of a toddler, who had drowned earlier in the day in a public well in Khulewadi, last night. The fire officials present found the body at 12.10 am.

The unfortunate incident occurred when Yuvraj Avatade (3), was playing with his sister Payal and some other friends near the well.

Yuvraj's foot slipped and he fell inside the well around 1 pm on Monday afternoon.

After getting a call from the residents, fire brigade authorities launched a rescue operation.

Ramesh Gangad, of Yerwada fire station, said, "After we reached the well at 1.30 pm, we launched a search operation. We had great difficulty in finding the body of the boy, as the bottom of the well was scattered with immersed Ganesh idols."

Talking about the rescue, he added, "We initially tried finding the boy with hooks but were unsuccessful."

Gangad further added that the rescue operation had to be halted because of darkness and even after seven to eight hours of their continuous efforts they were unable to trace the boy.

Onlookers told MiD DAY that the well was public and was used by many residents of Khulewadi to get drinking water.

They said that the lack of a preventive gate near the well was the reason the untoward incident occurred.
The locals had earlier demanded for a gate barring entry to children but their demands were unheard by the authorities.

Gangad also commenting on the lack of proper security measures, said that the well should be fitted with protective metal net to avoid such instances in future.