Mysuru, Oct. 26 (MTY&KS)- Cousins, who jumped into Varuna Canal to rescue a boy have met their watery grave.

The tragedy took place near Badagalahundi village in the taluk yesterday afternoon.

The deceased have been identified as Nandan (25), son of Ramesh and Rakesh (20), son of Ravi of Badagalahundi village. Ramesh and Ravi, fathers of the deceased are brothers. Nandan had got married to his lover 15 days ago under Police protection as his parents had opposed the marriage, Police said.

Details: Yesterday afternoon, a 15-year-old boy, who was swimming in the Varuna Sub-Canal got exhausted and began to drown in the canal. At about 2.30 pm, Nandan and Rakesh, who were proceeding on their bike to spread manure to their agri field, saw the boy drowning and both jumped into the sub-canal to rescue the boy. But the boy, who caught a plant on the edge of the sub-canal, managed to climb on the banks of the canal.

As the water was flowing in full force, Nandan and Rakesh, despite knowing how to swim were swept away. Meanwhile, the boy, who saw the cousins being swept away, shouted for help, which alerted the villagers. But the cousins had disappeared in the waters by then.

The villagers immediately contacted the officials concerned requesting them to stop the water flow into Varuna Sub-Canal following which the officials responded immediately and reduced the water flow to the sub-canal.

Later, a search for the cousins was launched and their bodies were traced about 600 metres away from the spot where they had jumped and were fished out of the canal.

Mysuru Rural Inspector Shivananjashetty, Varuna Sub-Inspector Sadashiva Tippareddy and staff reached the spot, conducted mahazar and shifted the bodies to MMC&RI mortuary.

Post-mortem was conducted this morning and the bodies were handed over to the respective family members.