51-year-old jumps from Karuvannur bridge, youngster's timely response saves his life

THRISSUR: A man jumped into the river from the Karuvannur bridge, in a purported suicide attempt on early Monday morning. Rajesh (51), a native of Palissery, jumped into the river but got luckily stuck in the grass and was later rescued under the leadership of Rasheed, a native of Moorkkanad.

The incident happened at 6:30 this morning. Locals saw Rajesh floating between the grass portion of the river and informed Rasheed, who owns a small inflatable boat. Wasting no time, Rasheed took up the mission and reached the spot in his inflatable boat and also carried an air tube. The youngster then helped Rajesh enter the boat and safely rowed to the other side of the land.

The police and fire force reached the spot and admitted Rajesh to the district hospital. Rajesh, a native of Kasaragod, is a security worker and currently lives near the Pallisery temple premises. It is assumed that he attempted suicide due to ensuing family problems.

In the past few months, six of the seven people who jumped from the Karuvannur bridge have died. The locals have strongly expressed vehemence over the repeated number of suicides taking place on this bridge. Last week too, a 50-year-old woman committed suicide by jumping from the bridge.