Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 2: A man met watery grave while four others were rescued at a pond in Someshwar near here on Wednesday September 2.

The deceased, identified as Naveen Monteiro (32), a resident of Chembugudde, was the owner of a tourist vehicle as well as its driver.

Four others, identified as Nithin, Sunil, Mujahideen and Rajesh, were rescued.

It is said that being off-duty on account of the nationwide strike on Wednesday, he along with other tourist vehicle drivers and owners in Thokottu junction had been to a playground to play volleyball in the afternoon. Thereafter, a group of around 20 including Naveen went to Someshwar beach in the evening. After playing at the beach, they went to a pond located at Someshwar temple for a bath.

The group clicked photos, and after sometime, everyone came out of the water. However, while the others left, Naveen and four of his friends came back to the pond for a second time. The others did not know that the five had gone to the pond again, it is said.

Naveen accidentally slipped into the water and got washed away. The four others rushed to his rescue, but they too got pulled away. Some of their friends who were nearby rushed to help.

Naveen's friend Santosh, a resident of Adamkudru, dived into the water and rescued four persons. However, though Naveen was pulled out of the water and rushed to hospital, he died on the way.

Naveen was youngest among five siblings. He was engaged to be married in April this year, family sources said.

Ullal police have registered a case.