Log in

MOHAVE COUNTY

Tempe man drowns in Colorado River

Two 32-year-old men drowned Sunday afternoon near Topock Gorge on the Colorado River, officials said Monday.

Anoop Gankidi, 32, of Tempe and Venkata Mukkaala, 32, of Milpitas, Calif., were pulled from the water after they failed to resurface on Aug. 3, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. 

The two men were among five people using a rental pontoon, which was parked on a beach along the river, and the group entered the water to cool down, an MCSO release stated. 

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers starting at $5 for your first month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
MOHAVE COUNTY

Tempe man drowns in Colorado River

Posted

Two 32-year-old men drowned Sunday afternoon near Topock Gorge on the Colorado River, officials said Monday.

Anoop Gankidi, 32, of Tempe and Venkata Mukkaala, 32, of Milpitas, Calif., were pulled from the water after they failed to resurface on Aug. 3, according to the Mohave County Sheriff's Office. 

The two men were among five people using a rental pontoon, which was parked on a beach along the river, and the group entered the water to cool down, an MCSO release stated. 

Three people began to struggle in the water, and one was able to return to a shallow area. Mukkaala and Gankidi did not resurface, authorities said.

A diver found the two men, and they were pulled from 12-feet of water. They were underwater for about 20 minutes.

The men were pronounced dead at a hospital.

Impairment is not a factor, authorities said.

We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.

Share with others


Have an opinion on this story? Click here to send a letter to our editors.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here