Selfie Mishap: Engineering student swept away, rescued after 12 hours

Tumakuru: An engineering student had a narrow escape after slipping into the fast-flowing waters of Maidaala Lake while attempting a selfie. The young woman, identified as Hamsa (19), from Shivaramapura village in Gubbi taluk and a student at SIT College, Tumakuru, was swept away by the lake currents but survived by clinging to a rock crevice through the night.

Hamsa had gone with her friend Keerthana to visit Mandaragiri Hill on Sunday afternoon. In the evening, they went to view the overflowing waters of Maidaala Lake, where Hamsa attempted to take a selfie. Unfortunately, she slipped from the rocks and was swept away by the force of the water.

Her friend quickly informed her relatives and friends, who alerted local authorities. Kyatsandra police and fire personnel launched an immediate search, but due to nightfall, the operation had to be halted.

On Monday morning, the rescue team resumed their search and found Hamsa trapped in a rocky crevice, where she heard the voices of rescuers and called out. Miraculously, she was rescued 12 hours after the incident.

“I Kept Praying All Night,” Says Rescued Student

After her rescue, Hamsa spoke to the media, sharing her terrifying ordeal. “I slipped and fell from the rock while trying to get back after taking a selfie. I don’t know how to swim, but luckily, I got stuck between rocks where I could see a little bit of the sky. I kept my spirits up, hoping someone would find me. There was no space to move, so I knelt all night, with water reaching my knees.

“I prayed constantly, thinking of my parents, and as soon as daylight came, I heard voices and shouted for help. I’m alive today thanks to the efforts of the Tehsildar, fire department, and all who came to my rescue,” she recounted.

Hamsa advised others against risking selfies in dangerous spots like this, cautioning people to prioritize safety over social media photos.