My toughest assignment, says fireman

BANGALORE: Recounting his attempts to save the three people who died after inhaling poisonous gas in a well at Cubbonpet, fireman L Bhanuprakash said, "I have attended more than 50 rescue calls, but this was the most difficult. I had to come out every five minutes to breathe in fresh air. The bodies were lying almost 40feet deep and it was a Herculean task to bring them out as the diameter of the well was barely three feet."
"It was my priority to bring them back alive. Though I tried to speak to them and provided them breathing apparatus, they did not respond. The bodies were lying one above the other. The walls of the well were slippery and it made the job more difficult," he explained.Gangaraju, the owner of the dyeing unit who died after inhaling the poisonous gas, was engaged in the business for more than 15 years.His cousin Khandappa said, "Earlier, his family was residing in the same building. A few years back, the family had shifted to Vijayanagar. He used to come to work at the the colouring unit daily. He has left behind his wife Suneetha and two daughters."The bodies were sent to Victoria Hospital mortuary for postmortem.A case has been registered in Ulsoorgate police station and further investigations are on.