One person was killed, one went missing and two were injured when a car falling into the Arabian Sea off National Highway 66 on the famous Maravanthe beach in Udupi district late Saturday night.
Police said the deceased Viraj Acharya (28) was the son of Ramesh Achar Neramballi, owner of Vilas Marbles, and a resident of Golibettu in Bijadi village of Kundapura taluk. His body was found on the driver’s seat with a seat belt on when the debris was removed. His cousin Roshan was found missing and he was suspected to have drowned. Two other cousins Sandesh and Karthik sustained minor injuries.
One person died, one went missing and two were injured. , photo credit: special arrangement
It is said that the four started their journey at midnight from Koteshwar on NH 66 towards Bindur. When the car approached the Trasi-Maravanthe beach section, the driver lost control and the vehicle plunged into the sea below the road surface. 20′ to 40′.
As the car fell on the stones meant to protect the beach, Sandesh and Karthik came out of the vehicle and Sandesh climbed up to seek help from the vehicles plying on the highway. Not getting any response, he walked till Trasi Junction and informed some people in Bijadi. They reportedly came back with help and rescued an injured Kartik.
The rescue team was accompanied by Apathabandhwa Ibrahim and the team. However, they were unable to retrieve the submerged debris in the sea due to strong waves and heavy rains. It was removed on Sunday morning with the help of local diving expert Dinesh Gangoli and Gangoli police.
Kundapura Deputy Superintendent of Police K. Shrikant, Bindoor Circle Police Inspector Santosh Kaikini and Gangoli PSI Vinay Kumar visited the spot. Gangoli police has registered a case and is investigating.