Two persons drowned, one in a well and another in a lake, in the suburbs of the city, police said on Thursday. Both the victims had same name - Karthik.
Police said Karthik Sudhakar (19), a resident of Butt Road in St Thomas Mount, had gone to enjoy a swim along with his friends in a well in Nandambakkam when he drowned a little after noon on Wednesday.
Karthik’s friends informed the police and the fire brigade as the teen failed to re-surface from water after a long time. Fire and Rescue Services Personnel rushed to the spot and searched the well until they had light, but could not locate the body.
Speaking to Express, Rajbhavan Fire Officer Rajendran said the rescue services resumed early in the morning. “We used ropes and divers too but could not locate Karhik. The well is about 60 ft deep and has lot of rocks which could have trapped Karthik under water. However, we are continuing the search operations,” he said.
According to the locals, the well had been abandoned for decades but remained unclosed and attracts many youth for swimming every summer. “Last year too, two youths had drowned in this well. We have been insisting the officials to close the well by dumping it with debris or garbage so as to avoid more fatalities,” a resident said.
In the second incident, Karthik S Pawar (27), a resident of Nanganallur, drowned into the Keelkattalai lake leaving his bike, wallet and the mobile phone on the lake’s bund.
The man was reportedly unemployed which troubled his family. He had a wordy duel with his father Suresh Pawar before he left his house on Wednesday.
People who came to take bath in the lake spotted the abandoned bike in the evening and informed the police. Madipakkam Inspector Devaraj visited the spot and contacted Karthik’s father and inquired about the abandoned bike.
Meanwhile, the body came afloat on Thursday morning and it was moved to Chrompet GH for post-mortem before it was handed over to the family.