The survivor has been identified as Surendra Mohan Mishra (69), a resident of SRIT Colony in Sambalpur and a retired government employee.

While morning walkers, who saw him near the bridge, suspected that he jumped into the Mahanadi in a bid to end his life and alerted police and Fire Services personnel, Mishra told the media that slipped and fell into the river while taking selfie on the bridge. “I grabbed a bunch of grass and managed to stay afloat. I am lucky to have come out of the river alive,” he said, adding that he also dropped his mobile phone.

His scooter and slippers were found on bridge, raising suspicion.