Dubai: In a tragic turn of events, an Indian father died while trying to save his drowning son, in Dubai's Al Mamzar beach.
The incident took place when Mr. George C. Joseph, a 49-year-old pharmacist in Al Ghusais, and his family went on a beach outing, on Friday evening.
According to a report in Gulf News , a family friend said that George’s 13-year-old son, Ahil, was about to drown while playing in the sea. "George did not know swimming. He usually doesn’t get into the water. He managed to pull out the son and saved him… but unfortunately he drowned."
It is not clear if the family was in an area monitored by lifeguards.
Mr George with his family- wife Shiny George, son Ahil and daughter Sohia.
Reports suggest that his wife, Shiny George, and daughter, Ancy Sosa George, did not get any immediate support to rescue the drowning man, the friend said.
George was from Kerala, India, and had been in the UAE for about 15 years. Friends and colleagues remembered him as a lively and jovial person with thorough knowledge in his field of work.
"Ten years we worked together and he was one of the best pharmacists", said a colleague.
Another friend said that the family usually travels to their native India during summer but had different plans this year.
"Their family usually goes home every summer vacation. This time they cancelled it because they had gone for the house warming of their new home just a couple of months back," said one friend.
Mr. Joseph is survived by his wife Shiny George, daughter Sohia Joseph and son Ahil Joseph.
The body will be repatriated once the legal formalities are over.