As per reports, the old bridge over Bhargavi river near Balikera village under Brahmagiri block of the district serves as a connecting link for the villagers with the outside world. The students also have to cross the bridge to reach their school.

On the day, while the group of students were crossing the rickety bridge, it suddenly collapsed. They did not fall into the river as they hanged on to the bridge and cried for help. Some villagers rushed to the spot and rescued them, the sources said.

Besides the people of Balikera, residents of 25 villages under three panchayats depend on the 20-year-old wooden bridge to cross the river for their daily activities. Though the villagers have requested the administration to construct a permanent bridge over the river several times, no step has been taken so far.