For Prakash Balu Patil, a school bus driver in Virar, the safety of children was of utmost importance. And he showed the way and left an example.
On Monday, Palghar district's Vasai-Virar belt — nearly 60 km from Mumbai — received heavy rain. Patil saved the lives of two children but laid down his life.
Patil (40), who used to ferry children to and from a Virar school everyday, was taking the children back home on Monday.
The bus he was driving got stuck in floodwaters near a drain in Narangi village due to strong rainwater flow.
He helped the children out of the bus, but two of them were trapped in the fast-flowing water. Patil rushed there and escorted them to safety.
However, he lost his balance and was swept away.
A case of accidental death has been filed at the Arnala police station. Patil's body was later recovered by firefighters.
He is survived by his wife, three children and parents. The family resides at Vajreshwari.
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