Hyderabad: Techie jumps into lake to save student

Hyderabad: A techie and a Naval personnel jumped into the Hussainsagar on Wednesday and rescued a Class 10 student who was attempting suicide over poor marks.

Police said the girl had consumed sleeping pills before jumping in. She was spotted floundering in the lake about 25 metres off Eat Street. The water is said to be about 9 feet deep at the spot.

“I was hesitating to jump but I did not want to regret this decision,,” said Mr Vishnukanth Reddy, the techie, who along with Mr Subba Reddy of the Indian Navy rescued the girl.

The girl was presently pursuing her graduation but had scored poor marks in her Class X exams, which kept her depressed ever since.

“She was a topper till then” said Lake police inspector B. Dhana Laxmi. The girl was taking medical help for depression.

The inspector said the girl had consumed 7-8 sleeping pills before jumping in.
Mr Vishnukanth Reddy, a Malakpet resident who works with Ral Page India at Hitec City in Madhapur, had come to Eat Street to have breakfast. Mr Subba Reddy was also there to have breakfast.

Mr Vishukanth Reddy, who jumped in first, said, “While I was eating, I noticed people gathering around the fence. When I went to check, I saw the girl drowning. Someone standing beside me asked me to jump in and save her.”

“Though unsure about my actions, I jumped in and tried to pull her out, it was not easy as she was drowsy and was slightly resisting. I was soon joined by Mr Subba Reddy, and both of us pulled her to safety. The police had also come in by then.

Mr Vishnukanth Reddy, who knows swimming, said he received injuries to his foot and knees while jumping in. Mr Subba Reddy left the spot after the rescue, and could not be contacted.

Upon learning that the girl had consumed pills, Lake police rushed her to Gandhi Hospital. She was later handed over to her family members who were called to the hospital.

Later in the evening, the Lake police sent Mr Vishnukanth Reddy the following text: “On behalf of Lake police and the girl’s family, I wish to give our deepest gratitude for saving one human life. It is completely and utterly obvious that thanking someone for saving a life is impossible, as the magnitude of ‘Thank you’ can and will never equal the magnitude of saving a life. Salute to your bravery and humanity by reacting at the incident without giving any scope for untoward incident.”