PALAKKAD: Babu, a native of Cherayi and the trekker fell into a steep hill after hitting a stone in Kurumbachi Hill, said his mother Rasheeda. He tried to hold on there to avoid further danger, she said.

He told his mother that his friends abandoned him halfway and returned but he scaled up the hill alone. She said her son's health has improved and has started eating normal food. Babu is happy now, his brother said.

His health condition is satisfactory, said DMO Dr Reetha. More test results would be obtained today and there are no damages to his internal organs, she told a private channel. A decision would be taken today on his discharge. He was admitted to the district hospital in Palakkad yesterday afternoon. He is presently in the ICU and soon will be shifted to the ward.