World · India Bureau
Brother's desperation: Barefoot eight-kilometre dash to rescue trapped sibling
A man in Gwalior spent his own money to hire a hydraulic crane after police response delays threatened his brother's life following a road accident. The dramatic rescue underscores the critical gaps in emergency response infrastructure across central India.
LSN India ·

In a dramatic display of familial determination, Sourabh ran eight kilometres barefoot through Gwalior to secure a hydraulic crane after his brother became trapped in a vehicle accident. Frustrated by police assurances that emergency equipment would arrive within five minutes, Sourabh took matters into his own hands, paying ₹800 from his pocket to hire the necessary machinery.
The incident highlights the persistent challenges faced by accident victims in obtaining timely emergency response across India's tier-two cities. Police at the scene repeatedly assured the family that a crane would arrive shortly, but as critical minutes passed without equipment, Sourabh's desperation mounted.
Unable to wait further and fearing for his brother's safety, Sourabh abandoned his footwear and set out to locate and hire a crane independently. His swift action and financial sacrifice ultimately proved instrumental in extracting his trapped brother from the wreckage.
The case has drawn attention to the need for better coordination between law enforcement and emergency response services, particularly in smaller metropolitan areas where specialised rescue equipment remains inadequately deployed or accessible.