A 69-year-old man fell into the Mahanadi from Chaunrapur bridge in Sambalpur district while he was clicking selfie with a mobile phone on Tuesday.
Fortunately, Fire Service personnel managed to rescue him from the water body near the Samalei Temple Ghat. The survivor was identified as Surendra Mohan Mishra.
Initially, locals saw the person falling from the bridge. Apprehending that he jumped from the bridge into the river in a bid to end his life, they informed police and Fire Service personnel.
“My leg slipped while I was taking selfie on the bridge, following which I fell into the river. I had lost hope of surviving. I grabbed a bunch of grass and managed to stay afloat. Later, Fire Service personnel rescued me,” he said.