Mohan Kuthar 

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (DRD)

Mangaluru, Mar 26: Prakash Gatti (46), a resident of Harekala Baitar, died after a footbridge collapsed into the Nethravati river on Sunday, March 26.

Prakash had invited his friends and relatives to his home for an annual fair being held at the Kodamanittaya deity near Satottu in Harekala. Along with about 20 friends, he had gone to the banks of the Nethravati river near his garden where tree logs had been placed across the water.

While walking on the makeshift footbridge, it suddenly collapsed and Prakash was buried in the silt of the river. Despite being skilled swimmers, he and his friends could not swim to safety and drowned.

Local swimmers attempted to retrieve Prakash's body but were unsuccessful. Sand mining workers from Uttar Pradesh were then called upon to search for and recover his body. However, Prakash was in critical condition and died on the way to the hospital.

Prakash had been employed at the MCF of Baikampady for many years and was also actively involved in agricultural activities. He is survived by his mother, wife, and two sons.
A case has been registered at Konaje Police Station.