A school teacher and his two children died after their car entered the Godavari River from a bridge in Maharashtra's Nanded district. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and said initial findings suggest they are examining the possibility that it may have been an intentional act. Authorities are also looking into allegations made by the teacher in a social media status before the incident.
The deceased have been identified as Sunil More (42), a teacher at Pota Budruk Zilla Parishad School in Himayatnagar, his daughter Sara (12) and son Sumit (8). According to police, More's wife was at home when the incident occurred.
Nanded Teacher and Two Children Die in Godavari River Incident
According to officials, the incident took place at around 8 am on the Amdura–Punegaon Road while More was travelling with his two children.
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Police said the car crashed into the side metal railing of a bridge over the Godavari River, broke through the barrier and plunged into the water.
Local residents alerted the police and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), whose personnel launched a rescue operation.
After nearly three hours of search and recovery efforts, the submerged vehicle was pulled out of the river. The bodies of More and his two children were recovered from the car.
"Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the deaths and are examining all available evidence," officials said.
Police Examine WhatsApp Status Posted Before Incident
Investigators are also examining a WhatsApp status allegedly posted by Sunil More before the incident.
According to police, the post contained allegations that he had been facing harassment from senior officials at his workplace and included statements indicating his intention to end his life along with his two children.
Officials said the contents of the post are being verified as part of the ongoing investigation, and its relevance to the incident is being examined.
"The WhatsApp status is being verified along with other digital evidence as part of the investigation," police officials said.
Investigation Continues Into Nanded Incident
Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Investigators are recording statements from family members, colleagues and other witnesses while collecting digital records, forensic evidence and other material related to the case.
Authorities have stated that no final conclusion has been reached regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will determine whether the teacher's allegations of workplace harassment had any connection with the deaths.
Further legal action, if required, will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
