Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Drishti Marine lifesavers carried out multiple rescue and assistance operations along Goa’s coastline over the long holiday weekend, saving five people from drowning, tracing three missing children, administering emergency medical aid, and even apprehending a thief.
At Ashwem beach, a 37-year-old man from Bengaluru was rescued after being caught in a flash rip current. Lifesavers Rupesh Kerkar and Sudhir Parab swiftly intervened using a rescue board and jet ski to bring him back to shore. The victim experienced breathing difficulties and was administered oxygen before being attended to by 108 medical personnel.
At Morjim beach, three men from Ludhiana, aged between 24 and 25, were rescued after drifting into a rip current during low tide. Lifesavers Mahadev Gawde and Yogesh Gadekar successfully brought them back to safety using a rescue board and jet ski.
In Baga, a four-year-old boy reported missing triggered an immediate search operation. Lifesavers Sandesh and Siddesh Bhosle, along with a mobile unit led by Sushant Gaonkar, located the child near the Baga tower. He was reunited with his mother following proper verification in the presence of police and beach wardens.
At Calangute beach, a seven-year-old girl from Karnataka was traced to the water sports area after she went missing. In a separate incident, a four-year-old boy from Uttar Pradesh was located at Candolim after a coordinated search by lifeguards Suraj Bind, Suraj Sawant, Vinod Gaonkar, and Beach Marshal Raghunath Patil. Both children were safely reunited with their families.
At Candolim, a 26-year-old man from Haryana was rescued after being pulled away by a lateral rip current. Lifesaver Anand Khawnekar intervened promptly using a rescue tube. The victim did not require further medical care. In another incident, an 18-year-old from Bambolim received first aid for a deep foot injury before being shifted to Candolim PHC due to continued bleeding. Additionally, a 50-year-old woman from Bihar with a suspected leg dislocation was stabilised and later transported to the PHC via ambulance.
At Bogmalo beach, a bag snatching incident involving a foreign national was foiled after lifesaver Raju Chalwadi chased down and apprehended the suspect. The accused was handed over to the Goa Police for further action.
Meanwhile, at Colva beach, beach marshals Anisha Tulaskar and Paresh Gaude recovered a mobile phone lost by a tourist from Pune. The device was returned to its owner after proper verification.
The series of incidents highlights the critical role played by lifesavers in ensuring beach safety, especially during peak tourist periods.
