Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Kerala Flood Hero Dies Saving 61-Year-Old After Giving Life Jacket
A brave man named R Rajesh lived in Kerala, a state in India, where he taught people to swim and trained them for rescue missions.
One day, very heavy rain caused a big flood.
A 61-year-old farmer named Benny was carried away by the rushing water.
Rajesh and his team went into the water to save Benny.
When Benny started struggling to stay above the water, Rajesh took off his own life jacket and gave it to him.
The two men were holding onto a rope, but Rajesh lost his grip and the strong water pulled him away.
Sadly, Rajesh died, and his body was found two days later.
Benny survived, and he came to Rajesh's funeral to say goodbye.
Rajesh was given a special funeral with state honours, and leaders of Kerala said he was a true hero.
Before this flood, Rajesh had also helped save people during floods in 2018 and 2019 and after a big landslide in Wayanad in 2024.
R Rajesh, a 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, drowned after being swept away in the Kariangode river during a flood rescue in Kannur district.
He gave his own life jacket to 61-year-old farmer Benny, who was struggling to stay afloat after being caught in the floodwaters on the way to his coffee plantation.
Rajesh lost his grip on a rescue rope and disappeared into the water; his body was recovered from Meenthully Island on Tuesday, more than 500 km from his home.
He was laid to rest with full state honours on Wednesday, with rescued farmer Benny attending the funeral.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan paid tribute, calling his act an 'ultimate sacrifice.'
- Who
- R Rajesh, a 36-year-old swimming and rappelling instructor from Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, and Benny, the 61-year-old farmer he rescued.
- What
- Rajesh drowned in the Kariangode river after giving his own life jacket to Benny; his body was recovered and he was buried with full state honours.
- When
- Flooding began on August 1; articles differ on whether Rajesh was swept away that day or during a flash flood the following day (Sunday). His body was recovered on Tuesday.
- Where
- Near Meenthully Island in Kannur district, Kerala, in the Kariangode river.
- Why
- Rajesh gave his life jacket to Benny to keep him afloat, then lost his grip on the rescue rope and was swept away by the flood current.
- Victim
- R Rajesh, 36, swimming and rappelling instructor from Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram
- Rescued person
- Benny, 61-year-old local farmer
- Location
- Meenthully Island, Kannur district, Kariangode river, Kerala
- Timeline
- Flooding on Aug 1; Rajesh swept away during rescue; body recovered Tuesday; funeral Wednesday
- Distance from home
- More than 500 km
- Past rescue service
- 2018 and 2019 Kerala floods, 2024 Wayanad landslide, 2026 floods
- Family
- Wife Lekshmi, sons Arshan and Abhishek, parents Rajasekharan and Geetha
- Tributes
- CM V D Satheesan, BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar, LoP Pinarayi Vijayan
Sources
Kerala flood rescuer dies saving farmer after giving away life jacket during rescue mission - Telegraph India
Hero coach saves man with his own lifejacket, then drowns
