Even as two of the three fishermen on board Sathi Savithri boat were rescued by the people of Kotepura-Ullala near here after the boat capsized in the Arabian Sea, one of the Good Samaritans died after hitting a rock in the sea on Saturday. One fisherman is still missing.
According to a release from the Coast Guard, information was received from the Coastal Security Police, Mangaluru, about the capsizing of the boat at 11.35 a.m. The boat had left Malpe three days ago and was heading towards Mangaluru Old Port.
The Coast Guard deployed its helicopter for the search and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, residents of Kotepura gathered on the shore hearing the shouts of the fishermen and one among them, Fazal (38) jumped into the sea to rescue the drowning fishermen. With others holding a rope, he brought one fisherman to the shore and jumped to the sea again to fetch another. In the process, Fazal reportedly hit a rock and was severely injured, said residents of the area.
While another fisherman too swam to the shore, residents took the injured Fazal to a nearby hospital and later to Mangaluru. However, Fazal died later.
The rescued fishermen are Mehasan and Kumar, while the missing person is Delhi Chandan, according to the residents.
Coast Guard said the search was in progress.
