The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Collector, officials have a narrow escape

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 26, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Collector, officials have a narrow escape

A.V. Raghunathan and Rajesh Nair

Fishermen, witnessing the launch of the new boats, rescued the officials.

— Photo: By special arrangement

RESCUE OPERATION : The Villupuram Collector, Ka. Balachandran being brought to the shore by fishermen on Wednesday.

VILLUPURAM: Villupuram Collector Ka. Balachandran and IAS officer Iraiyanbu were rescued after their boat capsized off the Mudaliarkuppam coast near here on Wednesday. The Collector was here to distribute fibreglass boats, fishing nets and engines to fishermen as part of the tsunami relief operations.

After the function ended, Mr. Balachandran got on a mechanised boat and entered the sea in a bid to encourage fishermen. The engine developed a snag after the boat moved some distance. Even as the engine was being restarted, a big wave lashed the boat and the officials, who were standing at one end, were thrown into the water. Fishermen, who had gathered on the beach to witness the launching of the new boats, rescued the officials. They put the Collector on a boat and pushed it to the shore.

Mr. Balachandran, who had swallowed some water, was give first aid and rushed to the Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in his car. After attending to him, the PIMS doctors said that he was out of danger. Others who fell into the water were Deputy Director of the Fisheries Department Sheik Jalaluddin, Dr. Marudhu Durai of the Thanjavur Medical College, his son Sibi, Swami Gurudasananda of the Mysore Citizens' Forum, Inspector Prabhakaran and Sub-Inspector Harikumar.

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