83-year-old man living alone in Madurai rescued after neighbours spot untouched meal at door

MADURAI: Untouched meal outside a flat in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, turned into a lifeline for an 83-year-old man living alone, after alert neighbours realised something was wrong and called for help Wednesday night.

Natarajan, a retired govt employee, had been living by himself since his wife died during the Covid-19 pandemic. His son works in Sweden and his daughter lives in Vellore. "Online food deliveries had become part of his daily routine," said neighbour Kumaran.

The widower had ordered food as usual. But when the Swiggy packet remained untouched at his doorstep through the day, neighbours grew uneasy. As calls to Natarajan went unanswered, neighbours informed his son and alerted Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNRFS).

Firefighters broke open the door and searched room by room. "Natarajan was eventually found unconscious in the bathroom. He was given immediate aid and rushed to hospital," TNRFS assistant district officer Suresh Kannan said.

Doctors treated him for dehydration and dizziness. The octogenarian has since made a steady recovery.