Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Drishti Marine lifesavers rescued four persons from drowning and successfully traced four missing children across various beaches along the Goa coastline on New Year’s Day, as beaches witnessed heavy footfall due to year-end celebrations. Lifesavers also provided first aid to two injured tourists at different locations.
At Arambol beach, a 19-year-old woman from Maharashtra was rescued after facing difficulty while swimming in the sweet-water lake adjoining the beach. Lifesaver Anna Malekar used a rescue board to bring her safely to shore. At Baga beach, two male tourists in their early to mid-20s from Karnataka were rescued while struggling in the sea. Lifesaver Umesh Madaikar carried out the rescue using a jet ski. At the same beach, another rescue was performed when a 20-year-old male tourist from Bihar was unable to swim back to shore and was safely brought ashore using a jet ski.
Also at Baga beach, an eight-year-old girl from Lucknow was reported missing. A search operation was immediately launched, and the child was located by lifesaver Harichandra Nahvekar at another stretch of the beach and safely reunited with her guardians. At Betalbatim beach, a four-year-old child reported missing by her parents was traced after a coordinated search lasting about 30 minutes and handed over safely. At Colva beach, a four-year-old boy from Margao was found wandering alone during routine patrolling and was reunited with his family after verification. Similarly, at Varca beach, a seven-year-old girl from Karnataka was found crying alone and was later handed over to her uncle after police verification.
Meanwhile, at Mobor beach, a 53-year-old tourist from England sustained injuries after being stung by a stingray while swimming. Lifesavers administered immediate first aid at the tower before handing him over to 108 emergency medical services. At Palolem beach, a 10-year-old boy from Pune suffered a deep cut on his right leg after stepping on broken glass while swimming. He was given prompt first aid and later handed over safely to his father.
Drishti Marine lifesavers said timely interventions and coordinated efforts helped avert serious incidents amid the heavy New Year rush along Goa’s beaches.
