Siachen miracle soldier's condition deteriorates

The condition of Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, the Siachen braveheart who defied death for six days buried under snow, has deteriorated, the army said on Wednesday as a team of experts from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences joined in the efforts save his life.

He continues to remain extremely critical with evidence of oxygen deprivation to the brain on CT scan, a medical bulletin issued in the evening said.

There is evidence of pneumonia in both lungs.

"His multi-organ dysfunction state continues unabated. His condition has deteriorated despite aggressive therapy and supportive care," it added.

Koppad was examined by a team of Army Hospital doctors comprising critical care specialists, HoD Dept of Medicine, senior nephrologist, senior neurologist and a panel of experts from AIIMS, New Delhi.

"The entire team was in agreement with the management (of medical problems) that the patient had undergone till now, and concurred with the future plan of management for him," the Bulletin said.

Hanamanthappa was evacuated by a helicopter on Tuesday from the site of the avalanche that hit his post on Siachen Glacier before being shifted to Delhi in an IAF aircraft accompanied by a critical care specialist of the force and a medical specialist from the base camp.

Hanamanthappa is being treated by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist and surgeons. He has been administered fluids and drugs to bring up his blood pressure, besides antibiotics.