DHARMAPURI:Just a week after six of a family drowned when the coracle they were riding capsized in Hogenakkal, a similar tragedy was averted, thanks to the timely intervention of a coracle rower here on Sunday.
A group of 18 youth from Kerala took the risk of attempting to make their way through the gushing water to get to Erumaisal Parai, a rocky terrain adjacent to the waterfalls, in order to get a better view of the falls.
As the water current was strong at the time, the group got stranded in the river.
On witnessing their precarious plight, Rengasamy, a local coracle rower, immediately alerted the police and fire station personnel, who swung into action and managed to bring the group to safety.
“The youth had ventured into a restricted area. They were apparently looking for thrills. Had it not been for Rengasamy’s prompt action, we may well have witnessed a second tragedy at Hogenakkal over the course of a week,” a firefighter said.
“It was around 9 am when I noticed the youth stranded in the river. They were crying out for help. I immediately alerted the authorities,” Rengasamy told Express.
‘We’re Saviours, Not Culprits’ Coracle rowers took this opportunity to hit back at those who were pointing fingers at them after last week’s tragedy.
“We have been portrayed as culprits ever since the coracle mishap last Sunday, where six tourists lost their lives. But our critics disregard the fact that we also risk our lives to keep the tourists safe,” said Marimuthu, member, Coracle Rowers’ Association.
“Should any untoward incident happen at Hogenakkal, the district administration and firefighters approach us for help because only we are well-versed with the depths of the river,” he added. He urged the district administration to the lift the ban on coracle rides following last Sunday’s tragedy.
Meanwhile, a special team headed by T Sridhar, the Project Officer of the District Rural Development Agency, has been formed to enhance security at Hogenakkal falls.