Youth Goes Missing Along with Jeep at Antarvedi Beach During New Year Celebrations

Konaseema: Tragedy struck during New Year celebrations at Antarvedi in Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district, where a youth went missing along with a Thar jeep after it plunged into the Godavari river late on Tuesday night.

According to police, three youths from Kakinada had arrived at Antarvedi to celebrate the New Year and had taken a room locally. After celebrating at night, one of them stayed back in the room, while the other two went towards the beach in a Thar jeep around 11.30 pm.

While driving along the beach road, the driver reportedly failed to notice a sharp turn near the bund, causing the jeep to veer off and plunge into the Godavari. One of the youths inside the vehicle managed to jump out in time and saved himself after noticing the jeep heading into the river.

However, the driver, identified as Nimmakayala Sridhar, reportedly called his friend who was staying in the room, seeking help as the jeep was sinking into the river. By the time the friend and others rushed to the spot, the jeep had disappeared into the water.

Following information, Antarvedi police rushed to the Annachellela Gattu area and launched search and rescue operations to retrieve the vehicle and trace the missing youth. Officials said efforts were underway to pull out the jeep, after which the body, if recovered, will be shifted to a local government hospital for post-mortem.

Family members of the missing youth, on being informed, also reached the spot as the search continued.