Indian woman slips and dies while taking a selfie at a waterfall in the US

A 27-year-old Indian woman died in the United States after she accidentally slipped and fell into a waterfall, while taking a selfie, on September 12. The incident happened when the woman named Polavarapu Kamala, who belonged to the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, had gone to visit the Bald River waterfalls in Tennessee with her fiancé.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office received a call around 4.30pm about two people slipping and falling into the waterfall, which is around 90-feet high, and one of the most prominent waterfalls in the region.

While bystanders managed to rescue her fiancé, they could not immediately find Kamala. She was found later under a log after being swept away by the water current, say news reports.

She was given cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until first responders arrived at the scene. And, was taken to Sweetwater Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. After a preliminary investigation, the police told local media that the accident had led to Kamala’s death, and gave out further details.

Kamala had gone to the US a few years ago to pursue her higher education, following which she got a job, and was working in Ohio.

Her family is trying to arrange for the transportation of her body to India, to conduct her final rites back home.

Sharing the news reports, social media users offered condolences to Kamala’s family. Some also discussed the need for people to be more aware of their surroundings while taking selfies, or being busy on phones, to avoid such tragedies.