A 42-year-old US-based software engineer from Andhra Pradesh drowned while rescuing his children at a beach in Florida, his family said on Monday (3).
Potti Venkata Rajesh Kumar died around 4.30 am IST on Sunday (2), said his younger brother P Vijay Kumar.
Rajesh Kumar was a native of Addanki mandal in Bapatla district and was employed with a startup in the US.
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu wrote to external affairs minister S Jaishankar to help bring back Rajesh Kumar’s body and also extend support to his bereaved family members.
The former Andhra Pradesh chief minister shared the passport number and contact details of the victim to facilitate the repatriation.
Naidu said Kumar was living at Bridge 7Water community, Florida along with his wife and two children.
According to reports, Rajesh and his family went to Jacksonville Beach in Florida.
When he noticed that the children went further into the sea, he ran behind them and managed to rescue his son. Yet, a big wave followed and pulled Rajesh in as well, his brother said.
By the time Rajesh was brought back to the shore, Vijay said his brother was unconscious and immediately taken to a hospital in a helicopter, including his family members.
Besides the father, his son also fell unconscious as water entered his lungs, said Vijay.
At the hospital, Rajesh’s son responded to shock treatment and is currently recovering in ICU but the software engineer died. The boy is conscious and able to talk, Vijay said.
According to Vijay, the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) in the US is chipping in to ensure the body of his brother returns home while the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) has also been contacted locally for help and support.
(PTI)
