Ahmedabad: From Despair to Hope on Valentine's Day
In the early hours of Valentine's Day, at 3:35 AM, a crackle broke the silence in the 112 emergency helpline control room in Ahmedabad. It was a distress call from a man who had just attempted suicide by jumping into the Sabarmati River near the Karai Canal, driven by an unbearable heartbreak. The 24-year-old from Bhat village in Gandhinagar had taken the drastic step, but in a remarkable twist, he now wanted to be rescued.
A Sudden Change of Heart in the Water
As the cold waters of the Sabarmati pulled at him, the man experienced a profound realization: life was too beautiful to surrender over such matters. Giving himself a second chance, he remembered his waterproof phone and dialed 112 while floating mid-stream, battling the strong current. This call set in motion a cinematic rescue mission filled with shifting locations and frantic coordination.
The Tense Rescue Operation Unfolds
Within a minute, at 3:36 AM, the control room alerted Sector-17 fire control in Gandhinagar, which relayed the message to the Bhat fire station. A team of divers and rescuers was dispatched to the location the man had shared. The mission was fraught with nail-biting moments as rescuers struggled to pinpoint his exact position in the darkness.
Despite physical exhaustion from staying afloat, the man remained mentally alert and actively guided his own rescue. Fire brigade personnel coordinated with the 112 team, continuously calling him to trace his movement. He stayed on the phone, describing his position as under a bridge and near a bend in the canal.
Successful Rescue After an Hour of Effort
Around 4:45 AM, after nearly an hour of tense searching, the team located him midstream and safely pulled him out. Rajesh Patel, chief fire officer of Gandhinagar, explained that the man had jumped due to a love issue but then realized he did not want to die. "He was floating on the water and pleaded for help. The river has deep sections near Karai where one can easily drown," Patel said.
Officials noted the rarity of such a case, where a person attempting suicide also alerts emergency services and holds on until help arrives. The man was taken to a government hospital, where his condition was reported as stable. Police may record his statement once doctors permit.
This incident highlights the critical role of emergency services and the unpredictable nature of human resilience in moments of crisis.
