Nine friends working at an IT company in Bengaluru were rescued after their car plunged into a nearly 10-foot-deep gorge in the Hasanur forest area, reportedly after they followed incorrect directions provided by Google Maps.
The group comprised Roger Prince, Prince Martin, Mani, Arivumathi, Guna and Sarami from Chennai, Boopesh from Erode, and Trisha and Josiah from Bengaluru. The nine had visited Mysuru two days earlier to witness the Dasara and Navaratri celebrations. They subsequently decided to return to Chennai via the Dhimbam ghat road.
On October 15, they were travelling by car, following directions displayed on Google Maps. The application directed them along a forest road via Kottadai village, towards Dhimbam. Unaware that they were on an unsuitable route, the group continued until the car became stuck on a dirt track. When they attempted to turn around and retrace their route, the vehicle skidded down a slope and plunged into the gorge, reportedly in a farmland.
The occupants decided to remain inside the car and alerted the Fire and Rescue Services. A team from the Hasanur Fire and Rescue Services reached the spot and rescued all nine occupants. With the help of local residents, the stranded car was also retrieved using ropes.
Published - October 17, 2026 08:41 pm IST