A 14-year-old girl's presence of mind and timely action saved several people from a watery grave in Kendrapara in Orissa.

Parvati was waiting on the banks of Mahanadi river near Mushadiha ghat for her uncle to come for fishing when a motorised boat capsized.

The girl raised a hue and cry as the passengers shouted for help. But as no one could hear her cries. Parvati then sailed out in a boat anchored nearby and rescued many.

"But for the act of valour and exemplary courage shown by Parvati, several persons would have definitely died," Superintendent of Police, Jagatsinghpur, Suresh Kumar Palsania said.

Palsania, quoting her uncle, said the girl knew how to handle a boat and managed to rescue at least three persons before his uncle and other fishermen arrived on the scene and pulled out the remaining six from the swirling waters.