Lucknow: An abandoned cab on Lucknow’s newly built Pakka Pul in the early hours of Wednesday led patrolling policemen to a 22-year-old cab driver fighting for his life in Gomti river, prompting one constable to row out and pull him to safety.
The rescue earned constable Avdhesh Kumar a ₹5,000 reward announced by DCP (Central). He reportedly said he was under severe stress due to mounting car-loan instalments and overdue payments, and, in distress, jumped into the river.
Constables Avdhesh Kumar and Jitendra Kumar Saroj were on night patrol in the Madeyganj area between 3am and 4am when they noticed a car parked on the bridge with no one inside, according to DCP Central Vikrant Vir. Station officer Ankuj Kumar Tiwari said the driver, a native of Pratapgarh currently living in a rented room in Chinhat, told police he works for app-based cab services Ola and Uber . Suspecting foul play or an emergency, they began searching the area and soon heard cries for help coming from the river below. Police took him to Balrampur Hospital for a medical examination, where doctors declared him fit. He was counselled at the police station and his family was informed. Relatives later reached Madeyganj police station and took him home. Sub-inspectors Ganesh Kumar and Pankaj Nagar were also part of the team.