Narrow escape for father, kids in Eastman Chowk sewer mishap

A harrowing incident occurred on Tuesday at Eastman Chowk, Giaspura, when a bike rider lost his balance and fell into an open sewer manhole along with his two children. The family’s timely rescue by nearby residents prevented a potential tragedy.

The incident happened around 1.30 pm when the bike rider was returning home with his children after picking them up from school. As the biker navigated through the construction area, he lost his balance and fell into the 12-foot-deep manhole. The family’s cries for help alerted passersby, who quickly came to their rescue.

With the aid of a ladder, the father and children were pulled to safety. They sustained internal injuries and were taken to a nearby doctor for first aid. The incident, captured on CCTV, went viral on social media, sparking outrage among city residents. Many questioned why the municipal corporation (MC) had not taken adequate safety measures, such as barricading the area, to prevent such incidents.

Officials of the MC shifted the blame to the contractor handling the road construction project. Executive Engineer Parshotam Lal said the contractor had claimed to have done barricading, but the bike rider had still entered the road. The MC has announced that it would issue a notice to the contractor and warn others to avoid similar negligence in the future.

The incident has raised concerns about the MC’s responsibility in ensuring public safety, particularly in construction areas. Residents are demanding more accountability and better safety measures to prevent such incidents.