PONDA: Five tourists from North India, in their twenties, narrowly escape drowning in the Dudhsagar river on Wednesday. Lifeguards attached to Dristi rescued them from the four-wheeler which got stuck in water midway.
Unaware about the water current, the tourists ventured into the rivulet, but the four-wheeler they were in could not withstand the force of the water. The vehicle stalled in the middle of the river after its silencer got submerged.
Locals said they had alerted the tourists about the water current, but they ignored the warning and drove off.
Drishti lifesavers posted at Dudhsagar including Niraj Gaonkar, Devendra Naik, Hanuman Bhajantriy, Vithal Masurkar and Shanu Gaunekar rescued the group.
The rivulet has a high water level with very strong current during monsoon season. The forest department does not allow anyone to travel to Dudhsagar in this season, said a local source.
Collem police said the incident was not reported to them.
