Students killed 'after plunging off edge of waterfall' at beauty spot

Two University of Dundee students who drowned after falling into a waterfall 'while trying to take a selfie' have been pictured for the first time.

Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, and Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22, are believed to have been taking pictures at the Linn of Tummel waterfall near Blair Atholl, on Wednesday evening when they slipped and plunged into the river below.

They were then reportedly swept away, witnessed by a friend who was with them on their walk at the Highlands beauty spot. Their bodies were recovered by the Scottish fire and rescue service.

Mr Karuturi and Mr Bolisetti, from India, were studying for a master's degree in data science and engineering.

A spokesman for the university said: 'This has been a tragic accident which has shocked us all, and our thoughts are with the families and friends of the students. 

Student Chanhakya Bolisetti, 22, was a student at the University of Dundee and was studying for a Masters in data science and engineering

Jitendranath Karuturi, 26, was also a student at the University of Dundee 

The two students were pulled from the water at the Linn of Tummel waterfall in Perth and Kinross on Wednesday evening

'We have been providing support to those families and friends at this extremely difficult time.'

The pair had started their courses in January 2023 and were due to finish next month. 

Mr Karuturi had a degree from the University of Hartford in Connecticut while Mr Bolisetti attended Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad, India. 

Mr Karuturi also worked as a waiter at the City Quay restaurant in Dundee. Vaseem Salimi, the restaurant's manager, told the Courier newspaper: 'Everyone is devastated. Jitu was really popular with everybody,'

'He had just finished his master's and was telling everyone his plans about what he was doing now. It was devastating for everyone.

'He was very polite and mild-mannered - you would get no drama from him. He was calm all the time. 

'He never had an argument or fell out with anybody. He was extremely reliable for work. He never let us down, ever.'

The bodies of the two men were recovered by emergency services on Wednesday night (Pictured: The Linn of Tummel waterfalls)

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 7pm on Wednesday April 17, we received a report of two men, aged 22 and 26 years, in the water at the Linn of Tummel waterfall near Blair Atholl.

'Emergency services attended and following searches in the area, the bodies of two men were recovered from the water.

'Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, however there would not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding these deaths.

'A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.'