How a cop saved 16 children from drowning on a waterlogged Delhi street

While most Dilliwala were struggling to reach work or busy tweeting sweet nothings to the Aam Aadmi Party government about the water-logged roads, 125 children and 18 people were stuck in two school buses that were semi-immersed in the flooded underpass at Mehrauli-Badarpur road. The engines of both buses had failed due to the water-logging.

Authorities were notified and Delhi Fire Services formed teams of 9-10 firemen to rescue those who were trapped in the buses of Eicher Public School, Faridabad. More than 70 children were rescued from the torrential rains as rescuers who included PCR personnel carried them on their shoulders to safety.

"Three fire tenders were rushed to the spot. We did not have much time as the water level was steadily rising due to incessant rain. The half-immersed bus was towed out of the waterlogged road. However, firefighters had to open the other one and swim with 72 children on their shoulders to safety," Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg said.

"A PCR van of southeast zone, Kite 63, was the first to reach the spot. The policemen found that the two buses (UP 14ET 8529 and UP 14ET 0045) of Eicher Public School in Sector 46, Faridabad had broken down. They were carrying 125 students and 18 other people, including teachers and school staff. The bus' occupants were crying out for help as water had entered the bus and its level was gradually rising," said a senior police officer.

But this was just before one of the two buses drowned completely.

Then as he saw the children stuck in the water, head constable Murari Lal heroically jumped into the water and rescued 16 children from the submerged bus, said additional DCP (PCR) RK Bansal.

"It was a life and death situation and the PCR staff acted swiftly. We are planning to reward them," he added.

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