Bantwal: Two youth drowned in river Nethravathi on Sunday. while one slipped and fell into the river while attempting to cross the river, the other landed in watery grave in a bid to save the other.

The deceased are Sawad (19) and Ramlan (20) from Maripalla here.

It is said that the two had left Maripalla to their friend’s house in Sajipanadu to attend a programme and they decided to walk through Maripalla-Thumbe shortcut. At one point, the two had to cross the river and Ramlan started walking over the rocks and slipped off. However, Ramlan began to drown and panic-stricken Sawad plunged into the river to save Ramlan. In the bid both drowned.

A case has been registered at Bantwal Rural police station.

Both, Sawad and Ramlan came from economically backward families.

Sawad was the eldest of the five siblings and his father Sulaiman is a physically challenged person. Sawad was working as a mechanic in a workshop in Farangipet and was a major pillar of support to the family. Similarly, Ramlan too did odd jobs to supplement the income of his family.