Gujarat-origin man dies after rescuing two friends from drowning in UK

An Indian-origin man from Gujarat died after rescuing two friends from drowning during a family picnic in the United Kingdom, leaving behind his wife and 18-month-old daughter.

Rushabh Patel, 28, originally from Pundhra village near Ahmedabad, had been living in Milton Keynes with his wife, Mili Patel, and their young daughter. He had moved to the UK in pursuit of a better future for his family.

On May 26, at around 3.00 pm, Patel and his friends went on a picnic near Newport Pagnell in Milton Keynes. During the outing, two members of the group reportedly got into difficulty while swimming and began to drown.

According to his wife, Rushabh immediately entered the water in an attempt to save them.

"His friends were drowning, and without any hesitation, Rushabh jumped into the water to save them. But after his friends were saved, he was struggling to come out of the water and drowned," Mili Patel told Gujarat Samachar Digital.

She further added that Patel successfully rescued both individuals, ensuring their safety before getting into difficulty himself.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, and Patel was airlifted to Milton Keynes University Hospital and underwent treatment for several days.

However, despite sustained medical efforts, he died on May 28.

In a final act of generosity, Rushabh's organs were donated after his death, helping five to six people receive a new chance at life.

His friends have set up a fundraiser to help the family with the immense financial burden to cover funeral expenses, immediate family needs and to provide financial security for his young daughter.