An Independence Day picnic to a spot on the River Umngi in South West Khasi Hills turned tragic for a group of friends when two of them drowned in the river.
The body of Bakyntiewdor Pdahkasiej (21) was fished out today around 6am with the help of a swimmer, who is a driver from Mawkyrwat. Pdahkasiej, a resident of Mawlai Nongmali, had just received his undergraduate degree results.
The body of the other victim, Bakordor Lyngdoh Mawphlang (22), from Mawlai Mawtawar, was retrieved by a Fire Service search and rescue team.
According to relatives and friends of the victims, the group of six that they were part of reached River Umngi at around 1pm and they then decided to freshen up with a quick dip before having lunch at 4pm. This is when the unfortunate incident occurred, as the two victims slipped and drowned in the river.
The friends tried their best to rescue the duo but the current was too strong and, as they did not know how to swim, they were helpless.
The uncle of Bakyntiewdor, Elius Pdahkasiej, expressed deep grief over the tragedy but also expressed gratitude to all those who lent a hand to find the two, including the local police, search and rescue teams and the Rangbah Shnong of Lawblei.
