Youngsters turn saviours: Kollam woman narrowly escapes death after being swept 10 km downriver

Kollam: A 64-year-old woman had a narrow escape after being swept away by the strong currents of the Kallada River for approximately 10 kilometres. Shyamalayamma, a native of Kulakkada and the wife of Gopinathan Nair survived hours of extreme weather conditions, including cold, rain, and whirlpools, before being rescued by local youngsters.

Shyamalayamma recounted to the police that she had been washing clothes on the shore in Thazhathu Kulakkada when she slipped and fell into the river, losing consciousness shortly thereafter.

Three bridges span the river, making it unlikely for someone to go unnoticed passing beneath them. However, Deepa and Soumya, residents of Cherupoika, heard Shyamalayamma's cries near the Cherupoika Mangalassery bank. They rushed to her aid and found her clinging to vines in a perilous part of the river known for its depth. They called for help and youngsters in the region managed to bring her to safety using a canoe.

The rescue operation was carried out by local residents Dileep, Manikuttan, Aromal, Sanalkumar, Ranjith, Sunilkumar, Raghu, Girish Kumar, and ward member Baiju Cherupoika, with Panchayat President V. Radhakrishnan also present. Shyamalayamma was found wearing a nightie, which, according to fire department officials, may have helped her stay afloat due to trapped air inside the garment.

Police from Puthoor and firefighters from Sasthamcotta and Kottarakkara responded to the incident. After receiving initial treatment at Sasthamcotta Taluk Hospital, Shyamalayamma was transferred to Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital for further care.