• Son and daughter escape miraculously
• Speedboat driver booked for negligence

Kushalnagar, Nov. 14 (AG&VNS)- A Gujarat-based couple drowned after the speedboat in which they were travelling capsized at Harangi backwaters in Kushalnagar yesterday evening. Their two children escaped unhurt.

The deceased have been identified as Dharmesh (50), an architect and his wife Nimmi (48), a teacher, both residents of Surat. Their children, Avanshi, 24 and Anuj, 22 survived the mishap.

According to the Police, the family arrived in Kodagu on Nov. 12 and was staying at a resort in 7th Hoskote. Yesterday, they visited the Elephant Camp at Harangi Reservoir and later took part in a boating activity at a nearby water sports facility.

The incident occurred at around 6 pm when the speedboat reportedly overturned after its driver lost control while negotiating a sharp turn.

All four occupants were wearing life jackets. While the children managed to stay afloat and were rescued by locals, Dharmesh and Nimmi were trapped underneath the capsized boat and drowned.

The bodies were later recovered from backwaters. Kushalnagar Rural Police rushed to the spot and conducted mahazar.

The bodies were shifted to Kushalnagar Taluk Hospital, where post-mortem examinations were conducted this morning before they were handed over to the family.

The bodies were being taken to Bengaluru when this newspaper went to the Press. They are expected to be flown to Surat later in the day for the last rites.

Kushalnagar Rural Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances leading to the mishap.

MLA seeks action

Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda visited the Kushalnagar Rural Police Station last night after learning about the incident and demanded stringent action against those responsible.

Expressing grief over the deaths, Dr. Mantar Gowda assured the bereaved family of justice and called for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Case against speedboat driver

Kushalnagar Rural Police have registered a case against speedboat driver Pradeep. Negligence and reckless operation of the boat have been cited in the case.

According to Kodagu SP R.N. Bindu Mani, the couple died of suffocation after the boat capsized. She noted that passengers had been provided with life jackets and the permitted number of people were on board at the time of the incident.