Bengaluru: A 22-year-old woman drowned on Sunday after a car she was travelling in with her family got stuck in neck-deep water at KR Circle underpass, just a stone's throw away distance from Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power in Karnataka. Fire and emergency services personnel saved five others of the family and the driver, with the help of people, who had rushed to save those trapped in the flooded underpass in the heart of the city. The victim as well as the others were taken to St Martha's Hospital where doctors declared the woman, identified as Bhanurekha, dead.
Learning about the incident, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah rushed to the hospital and took stock of the situation. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakhs to the next of kin of the deceased and free treatment for those admitted to the hospital. "The family from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh had hired a car and come to see Bengaluru. Bhanurekha works in Infosys. Due to the downpour, the barricade at the underpass fell down and the driver took the risk of crossing the underpass, which he should not have," Siddaramaiah told reporters. Bhanurekha was 22 years old.
Also read: Bengaluru rains: Young woman electrocuted after touching live electric pole
When reporters, who were covering the incident, complained that doctors refused to treat Bhanurekha, who was alive when she was taken to the hospital, Siddaramaiah said he would get it investigated and initiate action. According to those present at the spot, the car driver tried to zoom through the water, but in the middle of the underpass, the car almost got submerged. The occupants of the vehicle came out frantically trying to save themselves. Due to the downpour and hailstorm, the water level started increasing. As the family started crying for help, people nearby rushed to their rescue.
They threw sarees and ropes to help them keep afloat. Those entrapped tried to climb up, but failed while two of them were dragged out by swimmers of the emergency services personnel, others were brought out using a ladder. The survivors were rushed to the hospital where they found Bhanurekha dead. An autorickshaw was also trapped at KR Circle and a woman passenger saved her life by climbing on top of the vehicle. The rescuers saved her, too.
