Christ college student drowns in Cauvery

Milland, 17, son of Mohan Patil and a resident of Lake View Apartment at Kodichikkanahalli, Bommanahalli, drowned when he dived into the river ignoring warnings from his friends and onlookers at 2.45 pm.

The victim and his friends — Christopher, Deepak, and Shashank — all students of PUC II Science, had left for Muthathi at 10.30 am and reached there at 1.15 pm.

They headed straight to the stone steps on the bank of the river. Unable to resist the temptation to swim, Milland dived into the water disregarding the warnings.

“We warned him of strong whirlpools and so did the bystanders. But he didn't pay heed saying he was a national swimmer and wouldn’t drown. Soon, he was caught in a whirlpool and struggled to swim in the other side. The onlookers tried to rescue him but the water swept him away,” Christopher told Deccan Herald over phone from Muthathi.

Frightened, the boys approached the Algoor police station, about 25 km from Muthathi. Mohan Patil and his wife too arrived there. The body is yet to be traced although the fire brigade has been informed.

According to police, it will be recovered only after Thursday. A few local swimmers will be hired in the operation.Milland had topped Christ School in SSLC with 97 per cent marks and had chosen electronics as one of the subjects. A case of unnatural death has been registered.