Siachen Survivor: Hanumanthappa Comatose, Family Reaches Delhi

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa who survived the killer avalanche in Siachen is ​comatose. Next 48 hours critical

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa found alive after Siachen avalanche accident. (Photo: Hardeep Singh/The Quint)

The Siachen survivor may have escaped death during the avalanche but is not out of danger yet. On Tuesday, Hanumanthappa was brought to Delhi and rushed to the Army Research and Referral Hospital where he is comatose. His family reached Delhi late on Tuesday night.

His condition is reportedly critical but stable. Tests have now revealed that he i​s comatose.

On recovery, Lance Naik Hanumanthappa was found to be conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycemic and in shock. He is currently comatose and continues to be in shock with low blood pressure. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has pneumonia and his investigations have revealed liver and kidney dysfunction. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa has been placed on a ventilator to protect his airway and lungs in view of his comatose state. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa remains extremely critical and is expected to have a stormy course in the next 24 to 48 hrs.

<b>Medical Bulletin, Army R &amp; R Hospital</b>

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa, who was presumed dead along with nine other soldiers of the Indian army after an avalanche hit the military post, is alive. Confirming the news, the Northern Army commander has said that he was found buried 25 feet under the snow.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Army Chief Dalbir Singh visited RR hospital to meet Lance Naik Hanumanthappa.

Hanumanthappa’s village has been​ jubilant at the news of his survival. His family wants to visit him as soon as they can.

I am very happy and I want to go and see him.

<b>Wife of Lance Naik Hanumanthappa</b>

MoS External Affairs, Gen VK Singh (Retd), who is also a former army chief, reacted to the news.

Rescue operations underway in Siachen. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

The rescue team has also located the mortal remains of the remaining 9 soldiers. Army sources told ANI that the remains are being brought down from the avalanche site.

A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and nine other ranks of Madras Regiment were buried after their post was hit by the avalanche at an altitude of 19,600 feet close to the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan, where the temperature was minus 45 degrees Celsius.