Boy rescues his friend from drowning

A class five student at a government school in Belthangadi was acclaimed by people for rescuing his friend from washing away in a stream.

If not for the presence of mind exhibited by Sujaya, Aditya, his immediate senior, a class six student, would not have been alive today.

Both belong to Pandinje in Nittade village, Belthangadi, and study at the Government Higher Primary School in the vicinity. They used to cross a footbridge built across the Dambe stream while going to and coming back from school.

When the two friends were crossing the footbridge on their way home on Thursday evening, Aditya started slipping. Without thinking about his own safety, Sujaya swung into action and caught hold of his friend’s leg by hanging upside down.

As Sujaya could not pull Aditya up, both raised an alarm and people nearby rushed to the spot. Jayananda Sathe, Aditya’s father, Ratnakar Hebbar and others rescued Aditya, who was held by his friend for about five minutes.

Eyewitnesses on the venue opined that had it not been for Sujaya, Aditya would have washed away in the stream. Sujaya has now become the talk of the village.