Tragedy at Ullal: Teenage girl dies in boat capsize; Five rescued

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jan 19, 2020: Renita, an eighteen year old girl, has reportedly died when the boat that she and her friends were travelling in capsized in River Netravathi near Ullal. The tragic incident occurred late afternoon on Sunday (Jan 19) in the section of the river where it passes by Uliya Hoige locality.

Renita was studying first B. Com at Milgres College. She is said to be a resident of Miyapadav.

The boat belonged to the father of one of her friends. It is said that she and five more friends had come to participate in the annual feast of Thokkottu church. They were staying with one of the friends whose house was situated along the river.

As the girls pestered him for a joy ride, boat owner George, who is also the father of one of the girls, obliged and took them in his boat in the river. However the boat toppled due to strong wind, it is learned.

On seeing this, Martin and David, two men of the locality immediately jumped to the rescue. Though they were able to pull out all the girls, Renita succumbed to drowning enroute to the hospital. George was able to swim to the shore on his own.

Two of the girls are still in the hospital. One girl is yet in critical state, it is learned.

Ullal police are investigating the case.