Kundapur: Policeman Dies during Scuba Diving Training at Murdeshwar

By Snehalatha/Bernard D’Costa
Bellevision Media Network

Kundapur / Bhatkal, 02 Mar 2013: In a tragic incident, a policeman hailing from Kundapur lost his life during scuba diving training camp near Pigeon Island, Murdeshwar on Thursday February 28 afternoon.

 

The deceased has been identified as thirty-four-year-old Bhaskar Kulal,  son of Nagu and Parvati Kulal, residents of Kasamakki, Yadady - Matyady, Kundapur.

 

Bhaskar was earlier serving in Bangalore and had been transferred to Malpe coastal security over a year ago.

 

The scuba diving training camp was conducted by a Bangalore-based company called Padi for interested policemen, under the directions of five trainers. Over the past five days, ten persons have undergone the training, while Bhaskar was one among them.  It is learned that despite being ill for the past two days, Bhaskar was undergoing the training on the insistence of trainer Andy from London.

 

 

On Thursday at around 3.00pm to 3.30pm, Bhaskar who was ill lowered himself into the water with scuba diving gear and oxygen mask.  He stayed under water at a depth of about 15 meters. However, he soon felt nauseous and the oxygen regulator slipped from his mouth. As a result, the sea water gushed into his lungs and he drowned.

 

The body of Bhaskar was taken to Murdeshwar government hospital for autopsy after which it was handed over to his family in Kundapur.

 

Manjesh, another policeman who also underwent the training, said that the training sessions were extremely strenuous and Andy had told them that they should learn scuba diving within five days.  ‘It’s difficult for those who don’t know swimming. Despite pleas to halt the training session as the sea was rough, Andy did not listen, said Manjesh, alleging that Andy’s negligence and apathy had led to Bhaskar’s death.

 

Muardeshwar police registered a case against Andy on the basis of the complaint lodged by the policemen undergoing the training.  Andy is now in police custody.

 

Bhaskar hails from a poor family. His father Nagu and brother Bhojaraj are daily wage earners. Bhaskar’s wife Poornima and sons three-year-old Bhuvan and one-year-old Prakhul stay in Brahmavar police quarters. Poornima also hails from a poor family. Bhaskar was the sole breadwinner of the family.

 

Bhaskar’s last rites were performed at 8.00am on Friday March 1.

 

IG Bhaskar Rao, former MLA Halady Srinivas Shetty,  Coastal Security Police chief M I Jameel, Gangoli sub-inspector Tarnath,  railway inspector H D Mendonca, and others were present.