Man leaps into river, saves 65-year-old

Thodupuzha: Displaying remarkable courage and presence of mind, a youth jumped into the Thodupuzha river and saved the life of a 65-year-old woman who was swept away by strong currents at Manakkad near Thodupuzha on Saturday evening.The incident took place around 6pm at Kunnathuppara Kadavu. Arjun Babu (30), a native of Manakkad, was at his wife's residence when a child from a nearby house ran to inform him that a woman had been carried away by the river.Acting without hesitation, Arjun rushed to the riverbank and searched for nearly half a kilometre. From near a villa compound, he noticed a hand rising and sinking in the middle of the river. Trusting his swimming skills, he immediately dived into the river.The woman, identified as Santha (65), had been washing clothes at the riverbank when she was caught in the current while attempting to retrieve a clothing item that had drifted away. She was being pulled towards one of the most dangerous bathing ghats in the river.By the time Arjun reached her, Santha had lost consciousness after swallowing water. Braving the strong currents, he managed to pull her out and bring her safely to the opposite bank. Her husband, who had rushed to the spot, also joined the rescue efforts.Fire and rescue services personnel soon arrived at the scene and transported them by boat to Kunnathuppara. Santha was later shifted to a hospital in Thodupuzha for further treatment. tnn