Two kayakers and two minor children were among 11 persons rescued off Goa’s beaches by Drishti lifesavers over the packed weekend, which saw hundreds of thousands of tourists making a beeline to the coastline to usher in the New Year.
The double rescue of two male kayakers was reported off Palolem beach, after they were caught in rough current and their two-seater kayak toppled. A man and a woman, both aged 23-years-old from Hyderabad, were also saved using a rescue board after a brief struggle in the water due to heavy current.
The New Year’s weekend also saw the rescue of two children, aged ten and twelve years, after they were knocked over by a strong wave which swept them towards deeper waters off Baga beach. Last week Drishti Marine had implemented midnight shifts for lifeguards as a strategic measure to safeguard lives at Goa's beaches and other water bodies, keeping in mind the increased traffic during the festival season.