15 July,2014 07:03 AM IST | | Pooja Kalwar
Kalpana Bhattacharya was swept away by the torrential tide around 1 pm yesterday even though lifeguards were present near the spot. This is the second such incident in the past month
In spite of the BMC's repeated warnings to citizens to stay away from the shores when they are being lashed by high tides, two people have fallen prey to the sea in the past month. In the second such incident this season, a woman drowned at Marine Drive at high tide yesterday, even though lifeguards were present near the spot.
Attempts made by the authorities to rescue the woman proved futile, because of the massive tides lashing the shore. Pics/Suresh KK
Even though it was a working day, crowds of people had gathered at Marine Drive to witness the high tides as they lashed against the shore. Around 1 pm, Kalpana Bhattacharya, a 70-year-old resident of Hiranandani, Powai, was spotted drowning in the sea.
Crowds gathered at the spot to see the police and lifeguards carry out the rescue operation. Hawkers present near the spot saw the woman drowning and informed the authorities
Some of the hawkers present near the spot saw her being dragged away from the promenade by the tides and informed a police constable who was on duty nearby. Soon, the police and lifeguards gathered at the spot to carry out a rescue operation.
Rescue efforts
Sameer Shaikh, investigating police officer, said, "Because of the high tide, all efforts to save her proved futile. She floated up about 30 feet from the shore when the sea was calm." The woman was then taken to Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.
Cops said they had a tough time tracing her identity, as she was just carrying an empty purse with her. However, the police managed to get in touch with her family when they lodged a missing person's complaint at Powai police station.
Speaking to mid-day, the woman's distraught son said, "My mother was unable to walk. How she landed at Marine Drive is a mystery to us." A case has been registered in Marine Drive police station and investigations are currenly in progress.
