Two Andhra students drown in Australia waterfall

HYDERABAD: Two students from Andhra Pradesh pursuing higher studies in Australia accidentally drowned while swimming at Millaa Millaa Falls near Cairns in Queensland on Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as Chaitanya Mupparaju from Bapatla district and Surya Teja Bobba from Prakasam district. No details were known about the students, but both were said to be in their 20s.An online appeal to raise funds for their families to bear funeral expenses was met by Wednesday afternoon.
According to Queensland Police, when one of the two friends seemed to be struggling in the water, the other tried to help but both drowned. “It appears that one man got into difficulty and that a second man has then come to render him assistance, and unfortunately, both men perished,” inspector Jason Smith has been quoted in the media as telling reporters about the accident.
As the duo could not be spotted, Queensland Police were informed and cops conducted a search at 8.50am Tuesday. A helicopter was also pressed into service even as ambulance personnel remained on standby to provide the students immediate medical assistance if they were located.
Another person was said to have been accompanying the duo when the accident took place. Police have not identified him, but said he appeared to be in a state of shock.
“We are deeply saddened to share the devastating news of the recent accident that claimed the lives of two promising young students from India, Chaitanya Mupparaju and Surya Teja Bobba,” Surya Mangapati, a friend of the two students, said in an appeal on GoFundMe. By Wednesday afternoon, over $90,000 was donated in response to the GoFundMe appeal, which exceeded the target. Surya Mangapati said the funds would help the families bear the financial burden of funeral expenses and provide some relief.