Subrata Basu & Vikramaditya
Kadamtala, May 22: A potentially tragic incident turned into a story of courage and timely action after an elderly woman who accidentally fell into the sea near Uttara Jetty was rescued by alert fishermen and local residents yesterday. The swift response of the rescuers helped save the woman’s life and highlighted the crucial role played by local fishing communities in coastal safety.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred near the fishermen’s Dongi Ghat and Uttara Jetty area. Local residents noticed an elderly woman floating in the water and struggling to stay above the surface. The woman, later identified as Smt. Chandana Das, had reportedly been drifting in the sea for over fifteen minutes before she was spotted.
One of the rescuers, Mr. Varun Baregi, recalled that he first noticed unusual movement in the water while near the jetty area. He said he saw someone floating at a distance and waving hands in distress. Immediately realizing the seriousness of the situation, he alerted others nearby and called for help.
At the time of the incident, the tide was low and several fishing boats were stuck, making access to the woman difficult. Rescuers said this created additional challenges as boats could not immediately be used to reach her. However, the local fishermen acted quickly and coordinated efforts to save her.
Another local resident, Mr. Subhash, described the tense moments during the rescue operation. He explained that they initially feared they might not be able to reach the woman as she had drifted farther away due to the water current. He said emergency assistance was also sought by dialing emergency services. As the water current changed direction, the woman gradually drifted closer to the jetty ramp area, giving the rescuers an opportunity to act.
Using a long bamboo pole, the rescuers managed to hook and pull her out carefully toward the shore. Shortly afterward, personnel from the Marine Operation Centre (MOC) and police also reached the scene.She was then shifted for medical attention.
An interview with Chandana Das after the incident revealed that she had gone to the jetty area during the evening and suddenly felt dizzy. According to her account, she lost balance and accidentally fell into the water. She remembered little after the fall but acknowledged that local people and fishermen had rescued her and that police later shifted her for treatment.
Fortunately, Chandana Das has now recovered and was found to be in stable condition at her residence following medical care.
Residents of the area have praised the courage and presence of mind shown by the fishermen and local volunteers. Many people described them as the “coastal guardians” of the region, noting that apart from their livelihood, fishermen often become first responders during emergencies at sea.
