Vaneesh, a 10-year-old fifth-grade student, displayed exceptional bravery and quick thinking when he saved himself and four others after their car plunged into a 10-foot-deep roadside ditch on Thursday morning. The accident occurred between 5:45 and 6:00 am on the Uppinangady National Highway, near Kavu, when the driver, Charan, lost control due to drowsiness.

The group was returning home from the Ottekola event at Mundoor when their vehicle, traveling from Puttur to Uppinangady, veered left and fell into a water-filled farming ditch. The car became lodged in the canal, with the driver’s side door facing upwards and the other side submerged in mud. Charan, a resident of Para in Ujire, was driving, accompanied by his father, brother-in-law, and two children, including Vaneesh.

Despite the chaos, Vaneesh managed to escape from the car with great effort. Unable to free the others, he ran to the highway and flagged down a passing vehicle, seeking urgent help. Thanks to his swift action, all the occupants were rescued safely, suffering only minor injuries. They were later admitted to a private hospital in Puttur for treatment.

Vaneesh’s courage and presence of mind in the face of danger undoubtedly saved the lives of everyone involved.