Hanumanthappa Koppad

Hanumanthappa Koppad

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa
Born (1983-06-01)June 1, 1983
Died February 11, 2016(2016-02-11) (aged 32)
Delhi Cantt
Allegiance  India
Service/branch  Indian Army
Rank Lance Naik
Unit 19 Madras
Spouse(s) Mahadevi[1]

Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad (born 1 June 1983, Betadur, Dharwad district, Karnataka) was an Indian soldier who was noted for his brief survival of an avalanche at the Siachen Glacier in February, 2016. He belonged to the 19 Madras, the 19th battalion of the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army.

Avalanche

Hanumanthappa survived the massive avalanche which occured on February 3 for six days at Siachen Glacier which is noted to be world's highest and inhospitable battlefield.[2][3] Hanumanthappa was found during the post-disaster Avalanche rescue operations by the Indian Army, six days after the disaster. He was rescued from 35 feet beneath the snow in -45°Celsius temperature, six days after an Avalanche hit an Indian Army post in Siachen, at an altitude of 19,600 feet. His health was critical but survival news gave a chance to family members to celebrate his news of survival.[4][5]

His family's and the country's celebration was short-lived as he eventually died at the army hospital due to multiple organ failure.[6] Hanumanthappa died on 11 February 2016 at 11:45 hrs.[7][8][9]

Medical treatment

8 February 2016

L/Nk Hanamanthappa K of 19 MADRAS, was buried under 35 ft of ice and snow at 20500 ft for five days since the avalanche at Siachen on 03 Feb 16. He was rescued from the site on 08 Feb 16. On recovery, he was found to be conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycemic and in shock. He was immediately resuscitated by the doctors at the site, who had been there for the past five days in the hope of a survivor.[10]

He was treated with warm intravenous fluids, humidified warm oxygen and passive external re warming.[10]

9 February 2016

He was flown out from the site on 09 Feb 16 by helicopter along with a Medical Specialist to the Siachen base camp, from where he was brought to the Thois air base. He was then transferred to Delhi by a fixed wing aircraft of the IAF along with a Critical Care Specialist of the IAF and Medical Specialist from the Siachen Base Camp.

To quote the medical bulletin dated 9 Feb:[10] "He is currently comatose and continues to be in shock with low pressure. He has pneumonia and his investigations have revealed liver and kidney dysfunction. Fortunately there was no cold exposure related frost bite or bony injuries to him. He is being treated by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist and surgeons. He has been treated with fluids, drugs to bring up his blood pressure and antibiotics. He has been placed on a ventilator to protect his airway and lungs in view of his comatose state. He remains extremely critical and is expected to have a stormy course in the next 24 to 48 hrs due to the complications caused by re warming and establishment of blood flow to the cold parts of the body”

10 February 2016

To quote the medical bulletin dated 10 Feb 2016, 1200 hrs:[11]

"Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad of 19 MADRAS continues to battle the odds and his medical condition remains very critical. He remains ventilator dependent since arrival."

To quote the medical bulletin dated 10 Feb 2016, 1600 hrs:[12]

"He continues to remain extremely critical with evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain on CT scan. There is evidence of pneumonia in both lungs. His multi-organ dysfunction state continues unabated. His condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care."

11 February 2016

To quote the medical bulletin dated 11 Feb 2016, 0800 hrs:[13]

"Braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa continues to remain extremely critical with worsening multiple organ dysfunction. His circulatory shock is now refractory to all drugs in maximum permissible doses and his kidneys remain non-functional. His pneumonia has worsened and the blood clotting disorder shows no sign of reversal despite blood component support. He is on maximal clotting disorder shows no sign of reversal despite blood component support. He is on maximal life support with aggressive ventilation and dialysis. He has slipped into a deeper state of coma."

Shortly thereafter, Koppad died. President,[14] Vice President[15] and Prime Minister of India[16] condoled his death. Defence Minister of India and the three service chiefs[1] paid homage to the departed soldier before his body was taken to his native village where last rites were performed with military honour.

In the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi:[16]

“He leaves us sad and devastated. RIP Lance Naik Hanumanthappa."

References

  1. 1 2 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Siachen-braveheart-goes-down-fighting/articleshow/50954084.cms
  2. ↑ "Unforgiving Battleground: Army jawans posted at Siachen serve in toughest of conditions". Daily News and Analysis. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  3. ↑ "Tough as nails : Siachen's soldiers from Madras Regiment". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
  4. ↑ KT Siachen avalanche: Siachen survivor ‘currently comatose, continues to be in shock’ - The Hindu
  5. ↑ This is how Lance Naik Hanumanthappa defied death at Siachen | Zee News
  6. ↑ Siachen Braveheart Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Dies, India Salutes Him
  7. ↑ CNN-IBN News on Twitter: "Medical Bulletin: Lance Naik Hanumanthappa's condition deteriorates despite aggressive therapy #PrayForHanamanthappa https://t.co/RFphpsBfwF"
  8. ↑ How Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad defied certain death at Siachen - Times of India
  9. ↑ Soldier battles for life after Siachen miracle, next 24-48 hours critical | The Indian Express
  10. 1 2 3 Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136250 dated 9 Feb 2016
  11. ↑ Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136279 dated 10 Feb 2016
  12. ↑ Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136292 dated 10 Feb 2016
  13. ↑ Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136311 dated 11 Feb 2016
  14. ↑ Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136330 dated 11 Feb 2016
  15. ↑ Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136326 dated 11 Feb 2016
  16. 1 2 Press Information Bureau, pib.nic.in, Release Id :136318 dated 11 Feb 2016

External links

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