A 50-year-old woman and her 35-year-old daughter drowned in a makeshift water storage pit in their farm near Karamadai in Coimbatore district on Friday, allegedly after jumping into the water one after another to rescue the former’s son.
The deceased were identified as S. Rajamani of Athimathaiyanur near Karamadai and her daughter Vigneshwari.
The police said that Rajamani was engaged in harvesting tomatoes in her agricultural field along with Vigneshwari, who was residing in Chennai, and her son S. Saravanakumar (30). The family had stored water in a makeshift tank by laying tarpaulin in a pit of about 12 feet depth and 30 feet width. Saravanakumar entered the tank for bathing around 2 p.m. and developed breathing difficulty. As he called out for help, Rajamani stretched out her hand and attempted to rescue him. However, she slipped into the tank. On seeing her mother and brother struggling, Vigneshwari attempted to rescue them and fell into the tank.
Vigneshwari’s elder daughter, who witnessed the incident, informed her father in Chennai over the phone and subsequently alerted the police and 108 ambulance service. Meanwhile, persons who were working in nearby agricultural fields rushed to the spot on hearing cries. The police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel also reached the spot. They pulled out the trio from the tank and Rajamani and Vigneshwari were found dead.
Saravanakumar, who was found alive, was immediately shifted to Government Hospital, Mettupalayam. The bodies of the deceased were also sent to Government Hospital, Mettupalayam, for post-mortem examination.
The Karamadai police are investigating further.
Published – August 21, 2026 07:14 pm IST
