Cries for help spur him to act

CHENNAI: As tragedy unfolded in Pulicat Lake, Ilango had a big responsibility on his hands. He saw the ill-fated boat capsize and wanted to rescue as many people as he could.  “I had just cast my fishing net when I saw a boat near the mouth of the lake. It terribly wobbled and capsized in no time,” said Ilango, one of the few fishermen who were eyewitnesses to the incident.On seeing the boat capsize, Ilango started his boat and went close to the mouth of the lake for rescue operations. He managed to pull three boys into his boat. ”I lost my fishing net. The fan of the boat’s motor was also damaged,” Ilango said. He also claimed to having seen a woman calling out for help. But she was washed away in a rough wave. “After I rescued the children, a man held on to my boat. He just looked at the boys and left his grip from the boat though I told him not to leave. He was still alive struggling in the waves when I last saw him,” Ilango said. Meanwhile, another boat came to the rescue of Ilango and towed his boat to the shore.