Mangalore : Vinay Vaz (24) from Sirsi who had fell into the Netravathi River from the moving Netravathi Express last week, has been traced near Ullal bridge at Kotekar on July 21, Sunday.
The mishap took place on July 19, Friday night when Vinay along with nearly 700 parishioners from Karwar Diocese was returning to his hometown after attending a weeklong Youth Retreat at Kerala. It is learnt, he was heading the 48 member group from the Infant Jesus Church, Sirsi. Vinay was the son of Wilson Vaz of Sirsi.
Fr Wilson Fernandes, Parish Priest of the Sirsi Church said that Vinay tried to step out of the train when it had slowed down while passing through the Netravathi Bridge, thinking the station had arrived. But, he slipped into the river and eventually drowned. It is learnt, there were injuries on Vinay’s head indicating that his head had hit against the bridge before he fell into the river.
Though the train was immediately stopped after members of his team pulled the chain, it later proceeded after a 40 minute wait. Five members of the team stayed back in Mangalore, while the rest proceeded towards their destination.