Two Indian youth drown in California canal

KAITHAL: Two Indian youths of Haryana's Kaithal district died due to drowning at a California canal in the US. The deceased, native of Pundri town's Mohna village, were identified as Sachin (21) and Pragat Singh. While Sachin died on the spot, Singh succumbed to death in the hospital.

The incident happened on Sunday as four friends went to take a bath in a canal. As Sachin failed to come out from the water, the other two friends were able to rescue Singh and take him to a nearby hospital. His lungs, however, were severely affected by water and he died during the treatment.

According to the family, Sachin was the sole bread winner of the family. His parents had sold off one acre of land to send him to the US. He had reportedly taken the donkey route to the US two years ago and was working there as a truck driver.

"They don't have much resources and come from a humble background, Haryana government should look into the matter," said Hardeep Singh, Sachin's relative. "Sachin was the only hope for his family members but the incident has shattered all their dreams," he added.

On the other hand, Pragat Singh, who went to the US five years back, was a permanent resident of the country. In January, he had come back to India for his marriage and left soon after that for the US.

The families of the two have now sought government's help to bring their bodies back to India.