Usgaon : In a heartbreaking incident, the body of 11-year-old Darshan Narvekar, a fifth-grade student, was recovered on Thursday afternoon after he was swept away while crossing a flooded stream. Darshan, a student at Tarabai Dalvi School in Usgaon, was returning home from tuition when the tragic accident occurred on Wednesday evening. His body was found at 12:30 pm, floating at the confluence of the Khandepar and Dudhsagar rivers, following an intense 17-hour search.
Darshan, who lived in Sainagar, had been without his father since the latter passed away during the Covid pandemic. The boy was raised by his mother, who works as a laborer to support the family, which includes Darshan’s two older sisters. The entire Usgaon community is mourning the young boy’s death, as he was known and loved by many.
According to reports, Darshan was walking home with other children after his evening tuition class at Tisk. Earlier in the day, heavy rainfall had caused flooding in the region. The group of students , while attempting to cross a nullah, hand-in-hand, the water level suddenly rose. In the chaos, Darshan lost his grip and was swept away by the forceful current.
Local youth and fire brigade personnel were alerted and began combing the area late into the night. Despite their efforts, no sign of Darshan was found. The search resumed early Thursday morning with renewed efforts from both locals and firefighters. Within ten minutes of starting their search along the Dudhsagar-Khandepar river, Darshan’s body was discovered floating downstream.
Ponda police conducted an investigation and sent the body to Hospicio Hospital in Madgaon for a post-mortem examination.
Parents, relatives, and teachers need to ensure the safety of children, especially during such weather. Leaving children unsupervised in dangerous conditions can lead to tragic accidents like this one
Suraj Garad - Local
This incident has left Darshan's family shattered. With his father’s death and the family’s dire financial situation, Darshan had been a beacon of hope for his mother and sisters. His sudden and untimely death has plunged the family and the entire Usgaon area into grief.
The tragic loss of this young life serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by heavy rains and flooding in the region, prompting calls for greater vigilance and safety measures, particularly for schoolchildren.