Shivamogga: In a heart wrenching incident in Channahalli village in Ayanur Gram Panchayat limits in the taluk, a 15-year-old boy and his rescuer drowned in an agricultural pond on Thursday.
The victim, Abhay, son of Mahesh from Channahalli village, slipped and fell into a 12-foot deep agricultural pond belonging to Ashok. While trying to climb out, Abhay slipped again and fell back into the water. Exhausted and scared, Abhay started calling for help.
Hearing his cries, 29-year-old Maltesh, son of Neelanna, who was working in a nearby field, rushed to Abhay’s aid and jumped into the pond. The commotion alerted other farmers in the vicinity who reached the spot to find both Abhay and Maltesh struggling in the water.
The farmers immediately rushed them to McGann Hospital in Shivamogga for medical attention. However, despite their efforts, doctors at the hospital declared both Abhay and Maltesh dead.
Local farmers believe that Abhay, fearing for his life, might have clung tightly to Maltesh, hindering his ability to swim and escape. They said Maltesh knew swimming well.
Maltesh,who married only eight months ago, and his wife pregnant. Police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident.
