Sambalpur/Burla: A fun trip of a man along with his two sons and a neighbour turned into a tragedy when three of them drowned in the water of Hirakud dam while taking a selfie Friday.
The deceased were identified as Hitesh (17), Asit (25), sons of Kishore Chandra Hota of Basant Vihar in Burla and their neighbour Susant Mishra (50). Hota was rescued by passers-by while the other three could not be saved. Hota was left dumbstruck when the three drowned right before his eyes.
To beat the excess heat, Hota along with his two sons and neighbour went to take bath in the water of Hirakud dam near Jhankarani temple in Sambalpur district.
Hitesh and Asit jumped into the water and began taking selfies while Hota and Mishra were busy bathing nearby. Meanwhile, a big wave lashed the two youths and swept them away. On hearing their screams, both Mishra and Hota tried to rescue them.
However, Mishra was hit by another wave and got swept away along with the two youths. Seeing his two sons drown right before his eyes, Hota was shell shocked and shouted for help before trying to save three of them.
Other youths taking bath 100 m away from them rushed to the spot and managed to rescue Hota while the other three were nowhere seen in the water.
The youths searched for the three but in vain. They later informed the fire brigade personnel who reached the spot and fished out the bodies after hours of search. Police registered a case of unnatural death and sent the bodies for post-mortem. Hota was admitted to a local hospital where his condition was stated critical.
The incident spread panic in the area as hundreds of locals thronged to the spot. The four got into the water without knowing its depth. Mishra and Hota worked as lecturers in a college while the youths were college-goers. All four did not know how to swim, it was learnt.
Locals claimed that the depth of water was at least 20 feet. Police registered a case and launched a probe. PNN
