Kushalnagar: A couple from Surat in Gujarat drowned after a speedboat carrying their family overturned in the Harangi backwaters near Kushalnagar in Kodagu district on Friday evening, November 13. Their two children, who were also on the boat, survived the accident.
The deceased have been identified as Dharmesh, 50, an architect, and his wife Nimmi, 48, a teacher. Their children, Avanshi, 24, and Anuj, 22, escaped unhurt. The family had travelled to Kodagu for a holiday.
According to police, the family arrived in the district on November 12 and was staying at a resort in 7th Hoskote. On Friday, they visited the Elephant Camp near Harangi Reservoir before taking part in a boating activity at a nearby private water sports facility.
Speedboat overturns during sharp turn
The accident occurred at around 6 pm when the speedboat reportedly capsized while negotiating a sharp turn. Preliminary information indicated that the driver lost control of the vessel, causing it to overturn and throw all four occupants into the water.
All four family members were wearing life jackets at the time of the incident. While the two children managed to stay afloat and were rescued by local residents, Dharmesh and Nimmi became trapped underneath the overturned boat.
Despite wearing life jackets, the couple could not escape from beneath the vessel and drowned. Kodagu Superintendent of Police R.N. Bindu Mani said the couple died of suffocation after the boat capsized. She also noted that life jackets had been provided and the permitted passenger capacity had not been exceeded.
Bodies recovered; police begin investigation
Following the accident, Kushalnagar Rural Police and rescue personnel reached the spot and recovered the bodies from the backwaters. The bodies were shifted to Kushalnagar Taluk Hospital, where post-mortem examinations were conducted on Saturday morning before they were handed over to the family.
The bodies were subsequently being taken to Bengaluru, from where they were expected to be transported to Surat for the last rites.
Kushalnagar Rural Police registered a case and began investigating the circumstances that led to the accident. A case was also registered against the speedboat driver, identified as Pradeep, with negligence and reckless operation cited in the complaint.
The investigation is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the sharp turn, the handling of the vessel and the safety procedures followed during the boating activity. The precise sequence of events leading to the capsizing will be established through the police inquiry.
MLA demands action
Madikeri MLA Dr Mantar Gowda visited Kushalnagar Rural Police Station on Friday night after learning about the incident. He expressed grief over the deaths and demanded stringent action against those found responsible.
The MLA also assured the bereaved family that steps would be taken to ensure justice and called for measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The incident has once again drawn attention to safety at water sports facilities, particularly the operation of speedboats in tourist areas. The police investigation will determine whether negligence or any breach of safety procedures contributed to the tragedy.