In a miraculous turn of events, Alex, a 37-year-old fisherman from Eerassery at Punnapra in Alappuzha, found himself in a perilous situation when he fell off his boat during a fishing expedition. This incident unfolded as he joined a 55-member team on the ‘Padannayil No: 1’, a boat departing from the Purakkad coast on a Wednesday evening. Midnight approached, and the boat had ventured into the deep sea when Alex, engaged in fishing, slipped into the water, unbeknownst to his colleagues. The boat continued its course, leaving Alex stranded in the dark abyss.
In the midst of pitch darkness, Alex swam relentlessly for over five hours, guided by a determination to reach land. Recalling his childhood swimming experiences in the sea, he remarks, “I had practiced swimming in the sea during childhood and it probably helped me now.” Throughout his ordeal, the image of his wife Meenu’s smiling face served as a guiding light, pushing him forward in the vast expanse of the ocean.
As time passed, fatigue and fear began to set in, with no other boats in sight. However, hope dawned when the boat ‘Amos’ suddenly appeared. Its crew spotted Alex, pulled the boat near him, and rescued him from the perilous waters. This momentous event occurred past 5 am on Thursday. The boat ‘Amos’ then headed towards Thottappally harbour in Alappuzha, reaching its destination by 8.30 am. Alex was subsequently shifted to Government TD Medical College, Alappuzha, with police officers from Ambalapuzha police station overseeing the process.
News of Alex’s disappearance had reached his colleagues and acquaintances, sparking concern. However, relief swept through the community as word spread of his miraculous rescue. Reflecting on his 22 years of fishing experience, Alex, now recovering in the hospital with his caring wife Meenu by his side, expresses, “I have been venturing out to the sea for fishing for the last 22 years, but it is for the first time that such an incident has taken place.”
Local legislator H Salam paid a visit to Alex in the hospital, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of this unforeseen event.
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