Namakkal: In a stunning act of bravery, aided by shades of luck and miracle, fire services personnel from Tiruchengode division on Saturday saved a father and son duo from being washed away in the Cauvery as large number of people thronged the river for a bath and perform rituals on the auspicious day.
Celebrated every year on the 18th day of the Tamil month of 'Aadi', despite meagre flows in the Cauvery, a large number of people had gathered at Pazhayapalayam bank near Patlur near Tiruchengode in the district for the occasion.
But suddenly the festive mood changed into despair as two persons of Pazhayapalayam - Thirumoorthy (40) and his son Krishnan (9), who were bathing in the river were suddenly carried away by the swift currents.
Even as they were going under and struggling to keep their heads above water, Mohan, a fire services man on duty on seeing their plight, immediately jumped into the river and swam a good distance in a bid to save both of them.
It was an arduous struggle for a lone fireman in a rescue act, but luckily the word got around and a contingent of fire fighters from Tiruchengode fire station rushed to the spot, jumped into the Cauvery and joined Mohan in the rescue act. These brave fire and rescue services personnel included Govindasamy, Durairaj and Satheesh Kumar.
After a fairly long struggle in the waters the four firemen eventually lifted up the father-son duo from the waters, brought them to the shore, administered first aid and were rushed to a primary health centre nearby where the two are now out of danger.
The entire crowd of people assembled on the Cauvery banks on either side was stunned at this unfolding spectacle and were all praise for the courage and dedication of the fire and rescue services personnel, even risking their own lives to save the father and son.
