Warangal: Survivor tells tale of horror

WARANGAL: “My friends drowned and vanished right in front of my eyes within two minutes. I am not happy that I got saved from the accident; indeed I wish I was dead too. We are all close friends and share a strong bond. We always went on such tours together and care about each others’ families. The thought that I have come back without them is disturbing to me,” said Mr Baske Dasharadam, one of the five members who made it back home from among the 14 friends left for the tour to Papikondalu and took the boat which capsized during its journey on the river Godavari on Sunday. During the dark hours of Tuesday, the two dead bodies of Baske Avinash and Baske Rajender reached their home in Kadipikonda.

Family members were heartbroken on seeing their loved ones lifeless. The villagers who all gathered at their homes could not hold back their tears.

Five survivors reached Warangal from the Rajahmundry hospital and were admitted in a private hospital in Hanamkonda. The others are missing.

Sharing his experience, Gorre Sudhakar said, as soon as they were thrown out of the boat, they spotted a village nearby and started shouting in that direction for help. “The villagers heard us and reached us in their boats within minutes and rescued most of us. Meanwhile, I grabbed a life jacket and put it on. It is still an unbelievable experience for me,” he said.

Government Chief Whip Dasyam Vinay Bhaskar and Warangal Urban collector Prashant J. Patil visited Kadipikonda and consoled the bereaved families. Mr Bhaskar said the state would stand by the families and provide them with all possible help. Apart from the ex gratia amount announced by the government, they would also get the insurance amount of `2 lakh as the deceased had TRS membership.