Villagers rescue 6 from sinking car in Haryana's Sirsa canal

What could have been a tragedy ended in relief when villagers rescued six people, including two toddlers, from a sinking car in Sirsa district on Wednesday evening.

The incident occurred around 7:30 pm near Makhosrani village in the Nathusari Chopta area. A car, carrying three women, two toddlers, and a man, lost control and plunged into the Nohar Feeder canal, sending the passengers into panic. The family, from Hijrawan village in Fatehabad district, was heading to Nathusari Chopta when the car veered off the road. As the vehicle began to sink, cries for help echoed from within.

Rajesh Kumar Sidhu, a local medical practitioner on a motorcycle, witnessed the accident and immediately raised an alarm. He was joined by villagers Ramesh Kumar Bhakar, Pramod Kasania, and Pradeep Kasania, who bravely entered the canal and fought the strong current to reach the trapped passengers.

The group managed to rescue the two children, aged four and two, followed by the women and driver. Onlookers said the operation was completed just in time, as the car was nearly submerged. Emergency services were alerted, and the six were taken to Nathusari Chopta’s community health centre. Doctors later confirmed all were in stable condition. The rescued individuals were identified as Makhan Singh (58), Taro Devi (60), Jeeto Bai (62), Sunita (24), and the children, Avek and Aryan. Villagers remarked that a few more minutes could have led to a far worse outcome.

The Makhosrani village panchayat honoured the four rescuers on Thursday, with a local dairy also planning to recognise their efforts.