According to Air Force officers, the minimum loss caused by his act would come around Rs one lakh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Commandos on board the Air Force chopper, which was on rescue mission in flooded areas of Arattupuzha in Chengannur on Sunday afternoon, got the shock of their lives when they realised that the person they pulled up ‘just wanted to get a feel of the copter ride’.While most people spotted in the region insisted on staying back, 28- year-old Joby Joy came rushing barefoot and expressed his willingness to be winched. But as soon as the chopper started making its way back to Thiruvananthapuram after airlifting Joby, he revealed that he got on board thinking ‘he was being offered a lift’. When he was informed that he was being shifted to the state capital, he pleaded to be dropped back.Joby’s behaviour had cost a couple of people in the neighbourhood who needed to be rescued. According to Air Force officers, the minimum loss caused by his act would come around Rs one lakh. “A woma n and child were stranded nearby. But, when he saw him we thought of saving him first. As fuel was insufficient, we couldn’t wait for the woman and child,” said an officer without hiding his desperation.Joby, who runs a travel agency, was staying at a camp along with his parents after his house was submerged. He returned home after water receded. He was handed over to Thiruvananthapuram district administration by Air Force.(With inputs from Kochi )