Pimpri Chinchwad: Search for ‘Missing’ Man Suspended, Only for Him to Emerge Eight Hours Later

Pimpri Chinchwad, 9th September 2024: Tired of quarrels with his wife, a 45-year-old man jumped into the Pawana River in Pimpri Chinchwad yesterday. A search operation was conducted for him throughout the day. However, as night fell, the search was halted due to poor visibility. Surprisingly, the “missing” man emerged from the river after being “missing” for eight hours. While his family expressed relief and happiness, the police and fire brigade were left questioning how the man managed to survive in the river.

Aabasaheb Keshav Pawar (age 45) from Chinchwad jumped into the Pawana River from Jadhav Ghat in Walhekarwadi at 11 AM yesterday. His family informed the police, and the Pimpri-Chinchwad fire brigade was called to the scene. According to the police, Pawar was known to be an alcoholic, which often led to quarrels with his wife. The Fire Brigade, Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Disaster Management Department, and Vanyajiv Rakshak Maval joined in the rescue operation.

Fire Officer Gautam Ingwale stated, “We saw Pawar’s shirt hanging on a branch in the river, so we searched the trees and bushes along the riverbank. However, Pawar was nowhere to be found.” Pawar’s family had witnessed him jumping into the river. Due to the release of 4,000 cusecs of water from the Pawana Dam, the river was flowing with great force, and eyewitnesses said Pawar was swept away.

Gautam Ingwale further explained that Pawar, being a good swimmer, swam for some distance but got stuck in a thick bush while trying to return to the riverbank. Despite searching in the area, the rescue team could not locate him. After sunset, the search was called off.

Later, around 8 PM, the police contacted the fire brigade to inform them that Pawar had been found on the riverbed. He was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. Ingwale mentioned that Pawar had told his family that he had clung to a tree branch in the bush, though even the rescue team found it hard to believe how he managed to stay in the water for so long. According to the police, Pawar was shivering when he finally emerged from the water.