Kundapur: In an incident from near the Thekkatte fish market in the taluk, a debt-ridden man, Madhava Devadiga (55), and his son Prasad (22) who reportedly tried to rescue him died of drowning in a well on Thursday morning.

The deceased man’s wife Thara, who also tried to save them from drowning, was rescued by the neighbours. She is currently under treatment in hospital.

The family, which was native to Kundapur, was living in a rented house near the fish market in Thekkatte for the last seven years. Devadiga and his son Prasad are learned to have been working at a Reliance petrol bunk and Thara was employed at the Chandika Shri Durga Parameshwari Temple of Kumbhashi.

On Thursday morning, a woman in the neighbourhood reportedly heard sounds of people screaming from inside the well and, on inspection, she saw Thara struggling for survival. The woman immediately alerted the neighbours, who entered the well and rescued Thara. As she was in a critical condition, she was taken to hospital, where she is currently being treated.

Devadiga and his son Prasad, however, are said to have drowned in the waters of the well. The fire brigade staff who were informed and arrived at Thekkatte retrieved the bodies of the duo. The bodies have been taken to Kundapur for a post-mortem examination.

Kota Sub-inspector Raghavendra C arrived at the spot and conducted an inspection. An investigation of the matter is underway. Devadiga is suspected to have committed suicide following heavy debts.

(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)

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Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.

The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.

Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.

District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.

Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."

The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.

Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."

"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.

"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.