Jismol Jobi was swept away while ‘playing’ in the Muvattupuzha River in Kerala
A ‘kind and talented’ teenage girl died in a tragic accident while on holiday in India. Jismol Jobi had flown abroad with her family to mourn the death of a family member who had recently passed away.
Jismol, 15, from Coventry, was described as a ‘popular’ student at Rugby High School. She was said to have been ‘extremely motivated and always happy to help others.’
Jismol was said to be ‘playing and swimming’ before drowning in the Muvattupuzha River in Kerala. Uncle Johnson Mathai, 56, and Alissiyo Sabu, 16, also reportedly died in the tragedy on Sunday, August 6.
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Family friend Shinson Mathew, 43, told CoventryLive: “Jismol was in the water, playing, splashing and swimming, there was an undercurrent, and she got washed away. Along with Jismol, her mum, dad, brother and sister nearly drowned but all of them got rescued.”
“Seeing Jismol drowning in the water, her cousin went in to rescue her, and when he was trying to rescue her, he also got trapped in the water, so her uncle jumped in to rescue her, but all three of them drowned.”
A huge search operation was launched and their bodies were reportedly found at around 2pm on Sunday, August 6. Mr Mathew said the family are ‘shocked and traumatised’ by the tragic events that unfolded at Muvattupuzha River.
Tributes have been paid to the much-loved 15-year-old who lived in Wyken. Cousin Saniya said: “Jisu was my best friend, the one person I would message every single day.
“Jisu was one of the most mature and responsible people I knew and she was so wise for her age. She also loved and cared for her younger siblings so much and she always put them first before herself.”
Saniya added: “I am going to miss messaging you every day. I am going to miss linking arms with you when we walked together, I am going to miss you so much.
“I hope to make you proud, Jisu. Your beautiful smile, your laughter and your presence will forever be missed but never forgotten.”
Mr Mathew described the popular schoolgirl as ‘talented and motivated.’ He said: “Jismol was mature and she was really happy. She was really motivated and enthusiastic.
“She was really motivated in terms of her career and she was really talented. She was always happy to help and support her friends.”
Deputy Headteacher at Rugby High School, Joanna Grimes, added: “We will miss Jismol enormously. We have had the privilege of working, studying, spending time and making memories with Jismol over the last four years.
“Jismol was the kind of student anyone would be lucky to teach, she was so incredibly curious and inquisitive, always asking really interesting and unusual questions. She was also so genuinely kind and thoughtful to her peers and staff alike.
“She had a really beautiful way with words that would make anyone feel so very valued. We will remember her aspiration and her joy in life, and we will remember her with warmth, with smiles and with love.”
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