Policeman jumps into river, saves man from drowning in Rajasthan's Kota

Kota (Rajasthan), April 8 

A 37-year-old driver working for the Rajasthan Police risked his life by diving into the Chambal river here from a bridge nearly 10 feet above the water and rescuing a man drowning in marsh, officials said.

Jeep driver Chetram Choudhary and Constable Radheyshyam Sankhla, posted at Kunhari police station, were on COVID-19 duty at a market on Bundi Road on Wednesday morning, when they received a call about a man jumping into the Chambal from Kunhari bridge, hardly a kilometre away.

Responding to the call, they reached the spot within minutes and Choudhary rushed out of the police car and jumped into the river without a second thought, Constable Sankhla said.

He added that Choudhary swam around 60-70 feet to reach the drowning man and kept him afloat till a rescue boat arrived and saved them both.

"I somehow managed to reach and catch hold of the man as he was sinking in the marsh till the rescue boat arrived," Choudhary, a resident of Tikhriya Kalan village of Bundi district, told PTI.

"I am highly elated and satisfied," he added.

Station House Officer of Kunhari police station Ganga Sahay Sharma said the initial investigation revealed 32-year-old Mohit of Dadwada area of the city allegedly attempted to take his own life by jumping into the river before Choudhary rescued him.

The man is unconscious and admitted to the MBS hospital, the SHO said, adding that he was upset over financial issues and was unemployed.

The rescue operation lasts around 25-30 minutes, Sharma added. PTI