The government has come to the aid of the family of lifeguard Johnson Gabriel who died while attempting to rescue a woman from drowning on the Shanghumughom beach in August.
Minister for Tourism Kadakampally Surendran handed over an ex gratia of ₹10 lakh to Johnson’s family and an order giving his wife a permanent job under the Tourism Department.
Johnson had rescued the woman from drowning in the rough sea. But he was swept away by strong waves and hit his head on a rock and disappeared.
His body was later found washed ashore near Valiathura.
The government then intervened to support his family comprising his wife and two children. Johnson was extremely brave, and tried to do his duty without any thought for his life, the Minister said.
