Tragic Fall Claims Life of Solo Trekker at Irshalgad Fort

Navi Mumbai: A 26-year-old man died after falling into a deep valley while undertaking a solo trek at Irshalgad Fort near Irshalwadi in Khalapur taluka of Raigad district. Authorities launched a coordinated multi-agency operation to recover the body, police confirmed.

The victim was identified as Akash Ramchandra Waghmode, who had departed from his home early on Sunday for the independent trek. His mother spoke with him around 10 am that day, when he confirmed he had arrived at the site. Contact was lost thereafter, and she reported him missing on Sunday night. A police team promptly reached the foothills, where his two-wheeler was located parked, but there was no response from his phone.

On Monday morning, the search commenced in earnest. Teams from Khalapur Police Station, Help Foundation, local villagers, and a rescue unit from Della Adventure, led by Ganesh Gidh, responded to the location near Irshalgad. The operation faced significant hurdles, including intense heat, difficult rocky terrain, and initial shortages of specialized equipment, forcing rescuers to advance with care and later regroup with improved resources and strategy, according to Help Foundation founder Guru Sathelkar.

Despite early challenges in pinpointing the exact spot, personnel from Chowk Police, including Vishal Pawar and Amit Gujare, along with their colleagues, succeeded in locating the body following persistent efforts. The trekker had fallen approximately 300 feet into the valley and was found in a badly decomposed state, officials reported.

By Monday afternoon, the body was spotted, and after an arduous and extended retrieval process amid steep slopes, the body’s condition, and diminishing daylight, it was successfully brought down by around 8:30 pm. Police Inspector Sachin Pawar coordinated the provision of water and other necessities for the teams operating under tough conditions.

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Officers such as Eknath Garje and Ankush Pol from Chowk Police joined forces with the Help Foundation and Della Adventure personnel to complete the recovery from the hazardous area.

Sathelkar noted that the episode serves as a serious warning about the risks associated with solo trekking, incidents that have recurred in the Sahyadri ranges. Notably, the rescue team included members like Yashwant Dore, who had previously survived and been rescued during the Irshalwadi landslide on July 19, 2023, and who shared his experiences with the group.

Waghmode’s Instagram account featured numerous photos and videos from his past trekking adventures, indicating he was an experienced enthusiast. Police stated that additional personal details would emerge once his mother’s formal statement is recorded.

Khalapur police have registered a case of accidental death, and investigations continue.