Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Berhampur, Oct 16:

Thanks to timely intervention and tough efforts by lifeguards, a tourist could be saved from drowning in the sea at Gopalpur in Odisha’s Ganjam district today.

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Seven youths from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh who were on a tour to Gopalpur were taking a bath in the sea at Gopalpur, suddenly one of them was swept away by the tide to about 1.5 km from the shore. On seeing the drowning person waving his hand, crew members of a local television news channel alerted the lifeguards on duty at the beach.

Two lifeguards T T Babu and Kali Shankar along with other members of the team braving high tides rescued the person after an arduous effort of about half an hour.

“I thank all those who have rescued me while I was drowning,” said Situ Kumar, the youth who had nearly drowned but was rescued.

“We had received information that someone was drowning. Immediately I with my colleagues rescued the youth. Since morning we have been advising people not to venture into the sea. But no one is listening to our advice,” lifeguard T T Babu speaking to media persons.