Pregnant Russian woman rescued from drowning off Benaulim

Panaji: The actions of Drishti Marine lifeguard, Devidas Borkar, gave a fresh lease of life to a Russian woman at Benaulim beach on Nov 15.The Russian was among four other foreign nationals who were saved from drowning by lifeguards off the state’s coastline over the weekend. “A 36-year-old pregnant Russian found herself in a dangerous situation while swimming 50m off the coast. Realising she couldn’t handle the strong waves, she called for help,” said a Drishti Marine official.The weekend saw lifeguards called into action to rescue 13 people from drowning, including a three-year-old at Dudhsagar waterfalls. Lifeguards also locates two missing children in North Goa.At Dudhsagar waterfalls, a parent was sitting with his three-year-old daughter on a rock and slipped, causing the child to fall into the water. Without a life jacket, she began sinking. Lifesaver Babu Gavli dove in with a rescue tube, reaching her in time and pulling her to safety.At Candolim beach, lifeguard captain Divakar Desai and lifesaver Nakul Usapkar rescued a 72-year-old Russian man who was dragged 150m into the sea by a rip current. The duo also saved a Russian woman. After being brought ashore, she was administered oxygen and was taken for a medical check-up.Additionally, lifesavers rescued a 19-year-old man from Karnataka who panicked while swimming at Candolim with four of his friends.A Russian couple swimming off Sinquerim beach was caught in a rip current. While the husband managed to swim ashore, lifeguard Sandesh Malkar used his surfboard to bring his 50-year-old partner back.Lifeguards also helped prevent drowning incidents at Arambol, Calangute, Morjim, and Agonda.