18-year-old trekker from Mumbai falls while clicking selfie near KP waterfall in Khopoli, rescued in 3 hours

Navi Mumbai: A trekker from Kurla, Mohammed Juhair Shaikh (18), accidentally slipped several feet while taking a selfie on the trek path side of the KP waterfall in Khopoli on Wednesday evening.

The injured victim was rescued by the volunteers of a local NGO, Help Foundation, after receiving an alert from the Khopoli police. He was pulled out of the valley in a three-hour-long operation amid the rain. The lone trekker was climbing down after a successful trek to Zenith and KP waterfalls.The victim had not informed his family members before leaving for the trek, according to rescuers. After alighting at the Khopoli local railway station, he trekked to Zenith waterfall using locations available in his mobile handset.

He scaled up further on the extremely dangerous pathway to KP waterfall among the slippery ascent. He sustained injuries in his left leg and other body parts during his descent at around 4.30 pm.

Unable to walk, he sought police help by dialling the helpline number 112.According to rescuers, over-enthusiastic youths risk their life in their eagerness to capture photographs and videos for social media and to experience thrills.

The victim would have fallen even deeper into the valley had he lost the mobile during the skid, resulting in loss of contact. Locating him would have been extremely difficult.NGO chief Gurunath Sathelkar said, “He was screaming for assistance. First aid and light food was provided to the victim. Our team members used rope to conduct the rescue operation. After completing the formalities with the Khopoli police, the victim left home.”The victim did not respond to calls.