Man dives into Ashtamudi lake to rescue woman attempting suicide in Kollam

Kollam: A young woman who attempted suicide by jumping into Ashtamudi Lake was rescued in a dramatic effort led by a passenger in an autorickshaw on Saturday morning.
The incident took place around 11.15 am on the bridge along Asramam Link Road. The 22-year-old woman, a native of Kanjirappally in Kottayam, is a student at a bank entrance coaching centre in Kollam. She reportedly jumped from the bridge near the entry point from the KSRTC bus stand to Olayilkkadavu.

Rajesh, a local resident, witnessed her leap into the water. Around the same time, his friend Muneer, a native of Pallithottam, reached the spot in an autorickshaw owned by Shyam of Asramam.

Seeing the woman struggling in the lake, Muneer immediately jumped in to rescue her. He tried to pull her toward a bridge pillar by her hair but couldn’t manage to lift her out. Rajesh and others called for help from employees aboard a passing ferry of the Water Transport Department.

The ferry crew quickly steered the vessel closer and threw a rope and buoy into the water. One of the employees also jumped in and helped bring the woman to safety. She was given first aid and taken to the district hospital before being shifted to a private hospital for further treatment.

Police later said the woman told them she had attempted suicide following a breakup with her boyfriend from Erattupetta. She stays in a hostel near Olayilkkadavu, and the hostel authorities reached the hospital soon after the incident to inform her family.

Muneer’s quick thinking saves a life
The woman’s life was saved largely thanks to the composure and courage of 28-year-old Muneer. His past experience in water rescues proved crucial — he had previously saved a man from drowning in the sea in Tamil Nadu.

An aluminium fabrication worker by profession, Muneer was on his way to meet Rajesh at Olayilkkadavu before heading to a worksite at Padappanal when he learned of the suicide attempt. Without hesitation, he dived into the lake and fought the currents to keep the woman afloat until help arrived.

Muneer’s swift and fearless response turned what could have been a tragedy into a story of human courage and presence of mind.