Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010961400300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Three students feared drowned

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: Three students from Christ College are feared drowned in a lake near Kaggalipura in Thalgahattapura police station limits on Thursday.

Four students of the final year degree course in tourism went on a picnic to Gulakamale Lake, 20 km away from the city, near the Bhootanahalli forest where there is significant movement of wild elephants.

The police said Tessie (19), a native of Thiruvananthapuram, slipped into the water while washing her hands. Her friends Shiron (20) and Nirmal (20) jumped to rescue her. The fourth student, Rinson, horrified by the turn of events, rushed to the Thalghattapura police for help.

The three are yet to be traced and the police called off the search when darkness fell. They have sought the assistance of local swimmers.

Meanwhile, the Christ College management clarified that the students had proceeded on the excursion on their own on their day off and that they would help the police in the search.

The area is popular with picnickers but the police say they are warned against getting into the water.

Dies of burns

A 60-year-old woman died of burns when she dropped a bottle of petrol which caught fire in the morning. Her husband, who tried to save her, is being treated in Victoria Hospital.

Chandramma (60) was asked by her husband Narayanaswamy to give him a bottle containing 500 ml of petrol to fill their son-in-law’s motorcycle. Chandramma slipped and the bottle fell down near a lamp and there was fire.

Chadramma sustained burns and died in hospital. The Gangammanagudi police registered a case.