Lecturer & student drown in Gaganachukki Falls in Shivanasamudra

Another jolly trip by college students ended in tragedy on Friday. A lecturer and his student, part of a seven-member group, drowned in Gaganachukki Falls in Shivanasamudra, about 139km from Bangalore.

The victims have been identified as lecturer Vamshi Krishna, 26, and Pradeep, 22, of T John College, at Gottigere on Bannerghatta Road.

The incident occurred around 11.30am when the six final semester engineering students were taking bath. Pradeep, standing on a stone, lost control and fell into the deep waters. Vamshi went to his rescue and held Pradeep’s hand to bring him out of the water.

However, he failed in his bid and both drowned even as others witnessed the tragedy helplessly.Local residents too failed to save the duo. The bodies remained untraced till late in the evening.

Fire department personnel, Kollegal police and local residents searched for the bodies in vain.  A case has been registered in the Kollegal police station of Chamarajanagar district.

Police said Vamshi was a resident of Thyagarajanagar and Pradeep was staying in a hostel.