Drunk man dangling from PVNR Expressway rescued by alert locals in Hyderabad

Screengrab from the video showing the man moments before he landed on the tarpaulin sheet held by locals.
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Tense moments unfolded on the busy Attapur stretch of the PVNR Expressway on Sunday evening when a man, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, climbed the flyover and slipped — leaving him dangling from a tangle of overhead internet cables. The dramatic scene took place around 5 p.m. between pillar numbers 99 and 100, drawing the attention of motorists, shopkeepers and pedestrians in the area.

Screengrab from another video shot by a car decor shop employee showing the man hanging by the cables.
| Photo Credit:
By Arrangement

As the man hung precariously several feet above the ground, locals sprang into action. Two car decor and accessories shops located on both sides of the road played a key role in the rescue. Staff from both shops, along with passersby, rushed to pull out car body covers — large tarpaulin-like sheets typically used to protect vehicles — and quickly spread them out below in an effort to soften the impact of his fall.

In a video of the incident shot by locals, the man can be seen hanging by the tangled cables. A sedan can be seen stopping in the middle of the road and a man promptly coming out to join the group holding the sheet.

Shaik Mohd Imran Ali, who runs Grand Car Decor in Attapur, said: “We saw him slip and catch onto a cable beneath the expressway. He was just hanging there. The flyover is at least 20 feet high, and he could have fallen straight onto the road. We immediately grabbed a car cover and stretched it out below him. People from nearby shops joined in. Around 18 to 20 of us held the sheet tightly to catch him. Once we lifted him, we could clearly smell alcohol on him.”

Though the incident ended without injury, confusion persisted over police jurisdiction. Officials from nearby stations — Attapur, Rajendranagar, Gudimalkapur, and Langer Houz — each claimed the incident occurred outside their respective limits, leaving no further clarity on the case.