Rescuer drowns in haor after saving woman, child

A man drowned but managed to save a woman and a child after a boat capsized in the Austagram haor of Kishoreganj. Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) divers later recovered his body.

The deceased was identified as Sabikul Islam, 25. He was a tourist in the area. The incident happened in the 22-metre bridge area next to Bhatshala village near Itna-Mithamoin-Austagram road at around 1:30pm on Monday.

Eyewitnesses said a small dinghy boat was carrying a cow and five passengers including two children. The boat capsized near the 22-metre bridge area. Sabikul, a tourist, was passing by the area on his motorbike. He saw the incident and dived into the water to save the passengers.

Sabikul was able to rescue a woman and a child before he drowned. Divers recovered his body on Monday evening. All other passengers of the boat were also rescued.

Austagram unit FSCD commander Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan said they received information of a boat accident at around 1:30pm and rushed to the spot. Later, divers from Bajitpur arrived to start the rescue operation. Sabikul's body was recovered and handed over to the police station.

/KN/