Karukachal, Kottayam: A mother and her son who were caught in a whirlpool were saved following a risky rescue mission launched by three local men led by the panchayat member.

The lucky escapees are Divya, 32, and her son Jithin, 10, residents of Kottangal in Mallappally Taluk of Pathanamthitta district. The mishap happened after both arrived at the bathing area of the Manimala river around 5 pm on Tuesday.

It was Jithin who ventured into the waters first but he slipped and was swept away by the current. Divya jumped into the river to save him, but she too was caught in the swift current.

Luckily, Jithin could grab a bamboo stem that was leaning over the river. However, Divya got trapped in the deep waters. Some youths fishing on the riverbanks and others taking bath noticed the plight of the mother and son and raised an alarm.

Hearing the shouts, Vellavoor panchayat member Olomana Madhusoodanan, 42, and his neighbour Ameer, 25, rushed to the spot and dived into the river. Risking their lives, they swam to the deep area where Divya was struggling for her life and brought her ashore. Meanwhile, Udayan, 30, swam to Jithin, who was holding precariously to the bamboo, and rescued him.

A thoroughly exhausted Divya is now undergoing treatment at Kozhenchery district hospital.

This whirlpool of Manimala River, known as ‘Olomana kayam’ is about 300 m long and has a depth of around 18 feet. There is very little chance of survival if a person ends up here as the riverbed is covered with rocks. The last major mishap had occurred here 15 years ago when a youth had drowned.

Read more: Latest Kottayam news