Two Indian stunt men associated with film crew feared dead after jump goes awry

Two stunt men working with a film crew in southern Indian state of Karnataka were feared dead Monday after they jumped into a reservoir as part of a film shoot.

The duo were shooting a dramatic chase sequence for a Kannada language film at Tippagondanahalli reservoir, 35 km west of Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka.

"The stunt men Anil Verma and Raghav Uday jumped out of a helicopter into the reservoir and went missing in the water for more than five hours," an official said. "Despite efforts by rescuers at the scene and team from India's National Disaster Rescue Force and local police, the duo could not be traced."

Reports said Duniya Vijay, who is one of Kannada cinema's top actors, also jumped into the water with the stunt men, but managed to swim safely.

Police officials told media that the missing stunt men were not wearing life jackets at the time of jumping from the helicopter. Endit