Tourist rescued after falling more than 100 feet in Gudalur while taking selfie

A tourist from Chengalpattu who fell more than 100 feet while taking a selfie at Needle Rock View Point near Gudalur was successfully rescued after an all-night operation by the army, with assistance from the Nilgiris district police, fire and rescue services, and Forest Department personnel.

The tourist, identified as Sivagurunathan, fell on Thursday (March 19, 2026) evening and could not be rescued immediately as he had suffered fractures that left him incapacitated. Throughout the evening, first responders at the scene kept him calm, provided him with food and warmth, and awaited assistance from the army personnel stationed at the Wellington military cantonment, who reached the spot on Thursday night.

Doctors stabilised Sivagurunathan by providing first aid. They then loaded him onto a stretcher and carefully hoisted him to the top of the cliff, from where he was rushed to the government medical college and hospital for further tests and treatment.

More than 60 personnel from the army as well as police, fire and rescue services, and Forest Department were involved in the precarious rescue operation that successfully ended on early Friday (March 20) morning.