Aleem Ramji

Aleem Ramji died attempting to rescue Raabia K. Basaria and Zeanna K. Basaria from drowning, Kincardine, Ontario, September 3, 2020. Sisters Raabia, 22, and Zeanna, 16, were walking on a concrete pier that extended into Lake Huron when a 10-foot-wave from a sudden storm knocked them to the pier’s surface. A second wave swept them into the water, where treacherous conditions, including the large waves and strong rip currents, prevented them from moving to safety. Ramji, 38, a teacher and also the sisters’ cousin, jumped in from the pier and swam to them. Ramji was seen holding onto Raabia and Zeanna until the waves forced the three of them apart. Ramji lost consciousness. Raabia and Zeanna struggled in the waves and rip currents until others, including a police officer, assisted them from the water using a life ring tied to a rope. Currents carried Ramji toward a beach adjacent to the pier where he was removed, unresponsive, from the water by others. Ramji could not be revived; he had drowned.