Mumbai constable saves drowning woman at Marine Drive

Police Constable Jayesh Mali, who saved the woman’s life. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE

Jayesh Mali, 28, a police constable who rescued a drowning woman at Marine Drive around noon on Sunday, told mid-day he had joined the service just two months ago, and he was grateful that he was able to spot the woman in the nick of time, as she had disappeared just seconds after he noticed her and rushed to the spot.

After spotting the woman, 46, descending from the promenade and venturing into the Arabian Sea, the officer, Mali, dashed into the water body and brought her out with the help of other police personnel and tourists, who had rushed to the spot.

The woman had ventured beyond the tetrapods of Marine Drive when Mali whistled to her to stop, but to no avail. REPRESENTATION PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

Officers from the Marine Drive police station subsequently rushed the woman to Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital in Fort. "She was discharged on Monday. We are closely monitoring her physical and mental health," stated a police officer. Another police officer said, "We will be counselling the woman to get more details about what happened and if she needs any help."

Heroic cop's account

‘I was patrolling the area on foot when I saw the woman in her mid-forties, the same age as my mother. She had descended into the tetrapod zone from the seating area/boundary wall. She was at the water's edge when I noticed her at that moment and immediately started whistling. I began rushing towards her, but she seemed to have disappeared.

Police Constable Jayesh Mali with his family at his passing-out parade in 2025. Pics/By Special Arrangement

When I reached the spot, she wasn't visible, and the water seemed still. Thankfully, I eventually saw her clothes and, thinking I could still save her, I jumped into the water. I landed on my feet in a shallow spot from where I managed to grab her dupatta. I reeled her in towards the pods and kept her head above water until fellow police and bystanders arrived.

They helped me bring her out of the water. We were hopeful because as soon as she was out of the water, we could hear her murmuring something. She was brought to the boundary where a police vehicle was waiting, and she was sent to the hospital for checkups. I was so relieved that I could save her life.'

Police Constable Jayesh Mali, who rescued the woman. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE

‘This was my second such rescue'

Mali, who hails from Rami Pathare village, Dhule district, said that he had joined the police department nearly a year ago; after a nine-month training period, he has been in service with Mumbai Police for around two months. Previously, he was serving with the Maharashtra Home Guard. "Around three years ago, I saved a drowning friend who had slipped into deep water while learning to swim. I've been swimming since my NCC days," said Mali.

Official Speak

Someshwar Chougule, assistant police inspector, Marine Drive police station
"I was the patrolling in-charge on the day when Constable Mali's prompt duty saved the woman's life. After she was out of water, our female staff, including PSI Pooja Gagare, checked the woman's state, and we rushed her to GT Hospital within 10-15 minutes. Her family was also informed afterwards."