GUNTUR/VIJAYAWADA: Local fishermen and locals of Ibrahimpatnam jumped into the flowing waters of Krishna river and rescued the passengers from the tourist boat which capsized on Sunday.
They rescued 17 persons and fished out bodies of 21 persons along with NDRF, fire and police personnel. Fishermen Nadakurti Pitchaich and Kanna Siva Durga Rao were busy fishing in their boat at 5.30 pm when they heard a big splash in the water and saw a boat drowning. They immediately jumped into the water and swam towards it. They said that the passengers were stuck beneath the boat and despite having the life jackets they were struggling to come out.
With the help of other fisherman they brought some passengers out and helped them to reach the bank safely. They said the boat appeared to have hit a sand bar. The panic-stricken passengers tried to rush to one side, but the inexperienced driver failed to control and the boat overturned.
Mr Amruthaluru Sagar, owner of a cloth shop at Ibrahimpatnam, came to Ferry to see the crowd at the Karthika Vana Samaradhana. He said that he heard the screaming of the passengers but the boat capsized in minutes after hitting the sand bar.
