Pune: In a dramatic turn of events, a 45-year-old man who had jumped into the Pavana River from Jadhav Ghat in Walhekarwadi, Chinchwad, was safely rescued after emerging from the water on his own.

The man, identified as Abasaheb Keshav Pawar, had eluded search teams for hours after hiding in the dense bushes along the riverbank.

The incident unfolded on Friday afternoon, when police constable Sanjay Aandhale alerted the fire department that a man had jumped into the river but was still alive. Rescue teams, including members of the fire department and the Wildlife Protector Maval Institute, worked tirelessly to locate him.

The team, led by Fire Officer Gautam Ingawale, combed the riverbank using boats, but the search was called off as night fell.

Despite locating Pawar’s shirt on a tree branch in the riverbed, rescuers were unable to find him. It was later revealed that Pawar had been hiding in the thick foliage along the riverbank.

After the search ended and the team left, he emerged unharmed and was immediately taken to YCM Hospital in Pimpri for medical evaluation.

Pawar’s son, Arjun Pawar, had informed the rescue team that his father was hiding among the bushes, which led to an intense search throughout the day.

Authorities are now investigating the reasons behind Pawar's actions and what prompted him to take this drastic step.