Vile Parle youth drowns at Juhu, friend feared dead

Mumbai: One of two youths who went for a swim off Juhu-Koliwada beach drowned on Sunday afternoon, while the other is feared dead. In the subsequent rescue operation, the body of Abhishek Madav (22) was recovered while the search is still underway for Ankur Betkar (17). The duo had come from Vile Parle for a swim, but was pulled in by the strong current.

Locals, who saw the youths drowning, immediately alerted the lifeguards and officials present at the spot, who dived in to save the duo. Armed with lifejackets and nets, divers in the coastguard’s boat managed to recover Madav’s body, while they are still searching for Betkar.

Speaking to The Asian Age, Anil Jai, who was a part of the rescue team, said, “We launched a rescue operation at 3.15 pm and recovered the dead body at 4.40 pm. We will not stop the operation. As a matter of fact, the sea itself will sweep the body ashore during high tide, but that cannot stop us from trying.”

A 12-member team comprising personnel from the Coastguard, Fire Brigade and the police were involved in the rescue operation. The operation will continue until the rescuers find Betkar, who is suspected to have drowned.