Siachen Miracle Soldier Still Critical: Doctor

New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad who miraculously survived under 35 feet of ice and snow at the avalanche hit army post in Siachen glacier continues to be critical, said a doctor from the Army Research and Referral Hospital on Wednesday.

"The soldier's condition remains the same. He is critical, and we are taking best care of him," the doctor told IANS.

The doctor, however, added that they cannot comment on how he was saved, as they have no account of what exactly happened.

"Only when Lance Naik Koppad gains consciousness we will be able to get an account of how he managed to survive," the doctor said.

Koppad and nine other soldiers were swept away by an avalanche at the Siachen glacier on February 3, at an altitude of around 19,500 feet. He was found on Monday, miraculously alive.

The soldier was found to be conscious but drowsy and disoriented. He was also severely dehydrated, hypothermic, hypoxic, hypoglycaemic and in shock.

Koppad continued to be in shock with low blood pressure, and has been put on ventilator in the ICU.

He has pneumonia and his investigations have revealed liver and kidney dysfunction. But there was no cold exposure related frost bite or bone injuries to him.

The soldier is being treated by a team of intensivists, neurologist, nephrologist, endocrinologist and surgeons. He has been given fluids and drugs to bring up his blood pressure.