Udaipur, Dec 29 (IANS): A physically challenged man became an unlikely hero in a Rajasthan village when he jumped into a 30-feet-deep well to save a 15-year-old girl, lifted her with his only hand and rescued her even as onlookers watched in amazement.

According to police, the incident took place Wednesday evening in a village near Chhoti Sadari town of Udaipur, some 400 km from Jaipur.

"Rekha Prajapat was washing clothes... She was fetching water from the well when she slipped. Some villagers heard her cries for help but were afraid to climb into the well," a police officer told IANS.

Rekha's parents also soon arrived at the spot and started crying for help. Gopal Mogya, 23, a resident of the same village, was passing by and saw the crowd. "Without hesitating, he jumped into the well," said the officer.

"The girl was almost unconscious as she was drowning, failing to stand upright on the slippery surface. The youth somehow lifted her up with his one hand and amazingly maintained his balance. The villagers then threw down a rope," said the officer.

Some villagers then summoned enough courage to get into the well with the help of the rope and pulled Gopal and Rekha out.

The girl survived with minor injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The police officer said the girl might have drowned had Gopal, who lost his hand in a thresher machine mishap five years ago, not jumped into the well.