Three dead in Sitapur in bid to rescue child from septic tank

Lucknow: Three individuals lost their lives after entering a septic tank to rescue a child in the Sakran police station area of Sitapur on Sunday.

The incident unfolded when a 10-year-old boy was initially sent into the tank to retrieve a polythene bag. As the child began to suffocate, a young man entered the tank to rescue him and subsequently attempted to remove the polythene himself. Unfortunately, he lost consciousness due to suffocation and fell into the tank. Following this, a second man entered the tank, and then a third, in an attempt to save the others. When none of them emerged, the family members alerted the police.

Upon receiving the distress call, the police arrived at the scene and, with the help of local villagers, managed to extract all three individuals from the tank and rushed them to hospital. The doctors declared all three dead on arrival. The police have taken possession of the bodies and sent them for post-mortem examination.

The incident occurred on Sunday morning in Sitapur's Suketha village at the residence of Anil Gupta (40), where the septic tank cleaning was underway. Neighbours Raj Kumar (45) and Rangilal (45) were also present at the scene. A polythene bag was stuck inside the tank, prompting the decision to send 10-year-old Vivek Gupta into the tank to retrieve it. As soon as Vivek entered the tank, he began to suffocate.

Hearing his cries, Anil entered the tank and successfully brought the child out. He then attempted to remove the polythene himself but lost consciousness and fell into the tank. Witnessing this, Raj Kumar entered the tank to rescue Anil but also succumbed to the toxic environment and fell unconscious. Rangilal, in a bid to save both, then entered the tank and met with the same fate. When the family noticed the prolonged absence of any activity, they raised an alarm and informed the police.

The police, with the assistance of local villagers, managed to retrieve all three individuals and transported them to the hospital, where they were declared dead. The child, however, has been admitted to the hospital for treatment.

Sankran inspector-in-charge Navneet Mishra said that the cleaning operation at Anil Gupta's residence led to the tragic loss of three lives as they attempted to rescue one another. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.