Gujarat boy lost to the sea survives on Ganesha idol platform for 37 hours

In a miraculous story of survival at the sea, a 14-year-old boy from Gujarat’s Surat who was lost to sea was rescued after 37 hours in the sea, holding on to a Ganesha idol platform.

Lakhan Devipujak had gone to see the Ganesha ‘visarjan’ procession on Sept 29 at the Dumas beach with his grandmother and brother, where high tides pulled him and his brother, Karan, into the sea.

While Karan was saved by the people on shore after the commotion, Lakhan could not be rescued at the time.

Lakhan, now lost at sea, struggled for his life with a makeshift plywood platform used for the base of the Ganesha idol he found in the tidal water. 

Saved by the fishermen

At the same time, a fisherman, Rasik Tandel of Gandevi taluka in Gujarat, was on a boat ‘Navdurga’ 18 nautical miles (21-22 kms) away from him. The vigilant fisherman saw the small boy signalling for help  off the coast of Dandi on the night of Sept 30.

Tandel rescued Lakhan with a rope and provided him with heat, water, and biscuits. Tandel then immediately informed the police control room.

Lakhan returns

On Oct 1, ‘Navdurga’ arrived at Dholai port around 4.30 p.m. and Lakhan was immediately taken in an ambulance to a private hospital in Navsari, where he was examined and given necessary medical facilities. The distraught family of the rescued was also informed about the well-being of the boy immediately.

BJP leader and MP from Navsari CR Paatil also paid a visit to the boy at the hospital. 

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