Army Jawan Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad died in army hospital at 11.45

After 4-day battle for survival, Siachen miracle soldier Lance Naik Koppad passes away

The survivor Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad is a resident of Dharwad district, Karnataka. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, the 33-year-old soldier who was rescued from an avalanche on the Siachen glacier five days after being trapped, is said to be alive because of yoga and a lucky air pocket. But unfortunately, he died in army hospital at 11.45 Thursday.

Koppad was receiving treatment at the Army Research and Referral Hospital by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist and surgeons.

The soldier was found to be conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was also severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycaemic and in shock. He had pneumonia and was suffering from liver and kidney dysfunction.

“It was a miraculous rescue, all efforts are being made to evacuate Lance Naik Hanamanthappa to the RR hospital in the morning,” Lt Gen D S Hooda, Northern Army Commander, told PTI. He said, “Five bodies have been recovered so far and four bodies have been identified. All other soldiers are regrettably no more with us.”

One report says Koppad “survived in an air pocket” after a km wide ice wall crashed on Sonam Post, located at an altitude of 19,600 feet in the Northern Siachen Glacier.