He helped Flood Victims in Kerala, but None Helped Him while He Lay Dying in Road Accident
Mangaluru: He was a Good Samaritan rescuing hundreds of people during the recent floods in Kerala. This fisherman, one of the hundreds of “coastal warriors” involved in flood rescue in Kerala, was among the first responders called for help in Chengannur in Alappuzha. People across the country heaped praises on Kerala’s fishermen, including this young man, after they plunged into the rescue effort, risking their lives to save thousands stranded in places where no one could reach until military choppers came in. Dubbed by many as the “state’s special naval force”, the fishermen came in their boats from several parts of the state, spending money from their own pockets. They were credited with rescuing around 65,000 people.
But sadly this Fisherman and a Good Samaritan, 24-year-old Jineesh Jerone died in a tragic accident after his bike was hit by a speeding lorry. And while he lay dying on the road, no one came to help him, even though he had rescued many during Kerala’s mammoth floods. He was crying for help at the passerby’s, but no one would stop and pick him up and take him to the hospital- and thus he breathed his last on the road, after being ignored by ignorant people. A small hamlet in Poonthura, Thiruvananthapuram, had to bid goodbye to their hero, Jineesh Jeron, who was buried at the St Thomas church near Poonthura.
Jineesh’s friend Jagan, who was riding pillion, narrating the incident to the media said, “Due to the accident when the speeding truck hit the bike, Jineesh was flung off and truck mowed him down. He was lying on the road, crushed below his waist, and screaming for help. But nobody stopped, and I can’t believe something like this could happen to a man like Jineesh. He loved to help others. That’s what made him a hero during the recent floods. The incident took place 12 km from the rented house of Jinesh in Poonthura. The ambulance reached at the spot after more than 30 minutes. Jinesh was pronounced dead after a very brief struggle”.
Speaking about Jineesh’s help during Kerala floods, his mother Selvi, speaking to media said, “When the church vicar called for a meeting seeking help from fishermen for the rescue mission during Kerala disastrous floods, my son and his six friends promptly took a boat and set off. They didn’t wait for anyone and other teams followed them only the next day. Jineesh and his friends had evacuated more than 100 people to safety during rescue operations Chengannur, one of the most severely affected areas. Our family and friends would often play videos showing Jineesh swimming across murky waters during floods and rescuing people. They would then look at clippings of newspapers praising him as a hero and saviour”.
It is learnt that after class 12, Jineesh took up fishing to support his two younger brothers, both of whom have completed their degrees. He and his family lived in a rented house after their house was destroyed by the sea three years ago. On social media there were images of Jineesh during the rescue mission, of him neck deep in the waters, holding an 86-year-old woman, as he carried her to a boat. Sources also reveal that Rachel along with her husband living in Kerala, whose daughter Leena Mathew, based in Texas, had lost hope of finding her parents when she got in touch with Jineesh’s group.
In her message to media Leena had mentioned, “My parents, both above 80 years of age, were alone in the house. We had earlier got a wrong information that they were already rescued. Later, we got in touch with Jineesh’s group members through Facebook. They soon headed there and got them out safely. It’s quite sad that Jineesh left us so soon,” Also among those rescued by his group were 28 young children of an orphanage. Even after they got back home after the rescue operation, Jineesh and group were in constant touch with those rescued over the phone.
“He had a big network of friends here. He was popular among the kids too, as a dancer and a cricketer. They all used to gather around every evening near the church. He has always been the first to volunteer for help for someone in need, despite his circumstances,” said Jineesh’s friend Johny to the reporters. Netizens took to Twitter to express their shock over the incident and offer their condolences to Jineesh Jeron.
Team Mangalorean extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. May His Soul Rest in Peace!
With inputs from: The National Herald