Youth risks life by jumping into river for Rs 5,000 wager; Missing youth’s body found

MADIKERI: Amid the continuous rain and rising water level in the rivers and numerous waterfalls, youngsters are exposing themselves to danger by indulging in daredevil activities.

At Kakkabbe village in the taluk, a group of youths on Sunday announced a wager of one pair of shoes and Rs 5,000 cash if anyone dared to jump into a river and swim to the opposite shore.

Taking up the challenge, a youth from the village jumped into the river and swam to the opposite shore and claimed the prize. His actions were captured on video which have now gone viral on social media.

It is said that the youth is an expert swimmer and has helped rescuers retrieve bodies of dead people in surrounding areas. However, the recklessness of the youths have come in for criticism from netizens.

Meanwhile, the body of a 19-year-old, who was washed away in a river near the Kodagu-Kerala border, was found after four days near Vattakunada close to Panathur in Kasargod district of Kerala. The body was found floating about 1.5 km from where he had gone missing and locals immediately informed the NDRF who fished out the body and sent it for autopsy.

The NDRF, fire services and rescuers from Kerala had been conducting a search over the last three days. The deceased Durgappa was going to get food for his co-workers when he was washed away in the overflowing river along with his motorcycle. The Rajapuram police in Kerala have registered a case and further investigation is under way.