Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, July 21: A college student narrowly escaped death after plunging into a river while crossing a dangerous temporary bridge made of areca palm trunks at Derambala in Madandur, Jodukallu, near Uppala in Manjeshwar on Monday.
The young woman's life was saved by the extraordinary courage and quick thinking of a local resident who dived into the river without a second thought. The injured student has been identified as Nishmitha.
According to reports, Nishmitha and her sister, Sushmitha, had got off a bus and were walking towards Meenja when they reached the makeshift bridge. As the sisters cautiously crossed the narrow structure, holding each other's hands for support, Nishmitha suddenly lost her footing and fell into the river below.
Seeing the student being swept away, Uday Kumar Shetty of Derambala sprang into action instantly. Disregarding the risk to his own life, he jumped into the flowing river and carried out a daring rescue, battling the current before safely bringing Nishmitha back to the riverbank. His timely intervention is credited with saving the young woman's life.
Nishmitha sustained injuries in the fall and was rushed to hospital with the assistance of local residents, where she is undergoing treatment.
The courageous rescue has earned widespread praise from residents and members of the public, who have lauded Uday Kumar Shetty's bravery, selflessness and humanity in responding without hesitation during a life-threatening emergency.
The incident has once again exposed the alarming condition of the temporary areca palm bridge at Derambala. During the monsoon, school and college students, women and other local residents are forced to use the fragile structure every day, often crossing it in fear as it remains the only available route.
"Despite repeated representations to elected representatives and the concerned authorities regarding the dangerous condition of the bridge, no permanent solution has been provided," local residents said.
Villagers have now urged the government to act without further delay and construct a safe, permanent bridge before another, potentially far more serious, tragedy strikes.