Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: Amid heavy Christmas footfall along Goa’s coastline, Drishti Marine lifesavers had a hectic day on Wednesday, successfully tracing six missing children, rescuing six persons from drowning, administering first aid to jellyfish sting victims, and providing medical assistance to an injured foreign tourist.
At Arambol beach, a 33-year-old woman from Cunchelim near Mapusa waded into the sweetwater lake but encountered difficulty navigating the water at a depth of nearly three metres. Lifesaver Anna Malekar noticed her distress and promptly used a rescue tube to bring her to safety. In another incident at the same beach, a seven-year-old girl was found unaccompanied. Swift coordination between lifesaver Namdev Girap, tower staff and Drishti Marine’s vehicle patrol led to the child being reunited with her father and uncle after completing mandatory verification procedures.
At Mandrem beach, two 23-year-old men from Hyderabad, who were part of a group of four, were suddenly pulled into deeper waters and were unable to swim back. Lifesaver Dattaguru Korgaonkar, assisted by Jatin Girap on a jet ski, rescued both men from approximately 70 metres offshore using a rescue tube.
At Morjim beach, a man and a woman from Mumbai experienced difficulty in rough sea conditions. Lifesaver Pramod Mahale, assisted by Ketan Nagvekar on a jet ski, successfully rescued the pair using a rescue board.
At the crowded Baga beach, three children went missing in separate incidents but were safely traced by Drishti Marine lifesavers. A three-year-old boy from Nashik was located at another section of the beach by lifesaver Sujan Nagvekar and reunited with his family after verification. Later, a four-year-old boy from Bengaluru was traced by lifesaver Sajjan Mote, while a nine-year-old girl was found at a distant stretch of the beach by lifesaver Saurav Kumar, with both children safely handed over to their families.
At Calangute beach, a three-year-old boy from Kolhapur, Maharashtra, went missing and was later found near the main entrance of the beach. Lifesaver Vinod Gaonkar ensured the child was safely reunited with his family following verification.
At Candolim beach, a seven-year-old boy from Punjab encountered difficulty while swimming and was rescued by lifesaver Vikash Salgaonkar using a rescue tube. In another incident at the same beach, a three-year-old girl from Mumbai went missing after wandering away. Lifesaver Makhijul Mistri spotted the child and safely reunited her with her family.
At Baina beach, a 20-year-old tourist from Jammu and Kashmir suffered a jellyfish sting while swimming. Lifesaver Captain Raju Chalwadi treated the victim at the tower, after which he was stabilised and released. Similarly, at Benaulim beach, a 10-year-old boy from Pune was stung by a jellyfish and was provided first aid by supervisor Rajendra Naik, following initial assistance from on-duty lifesaver Utkarsh Velip.
Meanwhile, at Palolem beach, a 42-year-old Russian tourist slipped on a rocky patch and sustained deep cuts on both legs. Lifesavers provided immediate first aid and advised the injured tourist to seek further medical treatment at a hospital.
Drishti Marine officials said the incidents highlight the importance of lifesaver vigilance and public cooperation, especially during peak tourist periods such as Christmas.
