Bengaluru: A 22-year-old Infosys techie drowned on Sunday after the car she was travelling in with her family got stuck in neck-deep water at KR Circle underpass here, just a stone’s throw from Vidhana Soudha, reported PTI.
Fire and emergency services staff managed to save five others of the family and the driver with the help of people who had rushed to save those trapped in the underpass – which like many other parts were flooded due to heavy showers and even hailstorm during the day — in the heart of the city.
All of them were taken to St Martha’s Hospital, where doctors declared the woman, identified as Bhanurekha, dead.
Siddaramaiah, who was sworn in as chief minister a day earlier, rushed to the hospital and met members of the family, expressing his condolences for the bereaved.
He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to relatives of the deceased and free treatment for those admitted in hospital.
The young techie was touring the city with her family members, who had come to Bengaluru Vijayawada.
“The family from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh had hired a car and come to see Bengaluru. Bhanurekha worked 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.
According to those who were nearby, the driver tried to rush through the water, but the car almost got submerged in the middle of the underpass.
The scared occupants of the vehicle came out and tried to save themselves as continuoys downpour led toa rise in water level.
People rushed to their rescue, throwing sarees and ropes to help them keep afloat. Two of them were dragged out by swimmers of emergency services, others were brought out using a ladder.
An autorickshaw was also trapped at KR Circle and a woman passenger saved herself by climbing atop the vehicle.
