Panaji: Lifesavers from Drishti Marine carried out 11 rescues along Goa’s coast during the busy Dussehra weekend, including saving two Russian nationals. The increase in tourists visiting Goa for the holiday led to several rescue operations at beaches across the state.
Among the rescues were three double rescues and the successful reunion of a missing child with her family. Lifesavers also provided medical assistance to six people.
Two Russian women tourists were rescued in separate incidents at Morjim and Candolim beaches in North Goa. At Morjim, a 58-year-old Russian woman got caught in a rip tide while swimming with a group. Lifesavers Vikas Chavan and Amol Salgaonkar quickly helped her out of the water using a surfboard and jetski. At Candolim, another Russian national was rescued from a rip tide by lifesaver Bhaskar Ghatkar.
Three double rescues occurred at Baga, Ozrant, and Mobor beaches. At Mobor, a 39-year-old mother and her nine-year-old son were saved after getting stuck in chest-deep water. Lifesavers Vishal Gaonkar and Satendra Velip used a rescue tube and surfboard to bring them safely to shore.
At Baga beach, two men, aged 35 and 40, were rescued after venturing too far into the water while intoxicated. Lifesavers Suraj Nimbalkar, Leslie Rodrogies, Vinod Gaonkar, and Siddesh Bhosle acted quickly, using a rescue tube, surfboard, and jetski to save them.
At Ozrant beach, two siblings, aged seven and ten, were saved from drowning after being swept away by a sudden wave while wading in the water. Lifesavers Babaji Naik and Suhas Gawas brought them to safety with a surfboard and rescue tube.
In addition to the double rescues, lifesavers performed three single rescues at Baga and Candolim beaches. At Candolim, a 72-year-old woman from Lucknow was pulled into the water while sitting at the shore. Lifesavers Sanjay Yadav, Yashwant, and Jaiprakash Choudhary rescued her and revived her using CPR. She was later taken to GMC hospital for further treatment.
At Calangute beach, a nine-year-old girl from Bengaluru who had been reported missing by her parents was reunited with her family after being located within ten minutes, thanks to public announcements made by lifesavers.
At Baga beach, a 21-year-old man from West Bengal was found heavily intoxicated with a dangerously low pulse rate. Lifesavers handed him over to medical personnel for further care.
