Bokaro, Feb. 14: A 17-year-old Bokaro boy, who was to appear for his Class XII CBSE examination next month, drowned during a swim with two classmates at the cooling pond of Bokaro steel city, hours after collecting his admit card from school yesterday.

Rahul Kumar, a student of the premier Saraswati Vidya Mandir and resident of Bansgora, was about to get out from the pond, but his legs got stuck in water weeds, pulling him down till he got lost in the water around 5pm. His body was fished out today after nearly 24 hours.

Son of sweet shop owner Dinanath Sao, Rahul, who was preparing for his boards, went to school along with two classmates, Ranjit Sharma and Pravin Ravani, around 4pm yesterday to collect his admit card. As it was their last day at school before the start of the exams from March 2, the trio decided to enjoy a splash at the cooling pond, located just 2.5km away and sprawled across more than 100 acres with a depth of 40 feet. Its water is used by Bokaro Steel Limited.

After swimming for over half an hour, the three decided to call it a day around 5.15pm. Ranjit and Pravin came out of the water, but Rahul chose to stay back for a few more minutes. When he finally started coming out, his legs caught stuck in water weeds.

"Rahul was very near to the pond's banks and started crying for help. Two women, who were taking bath, threw their dry saris into the water, but Rahul couldn't come out. He then disappeared in the water," a sobbing Ranjit said.

Although a crowd gathered at the spot, the teenager could not be found. After waiting for over two hours and hoping for a miracle to happen, Ranjit and Pravin went to Rahul's residence in Bansgora, around 7km away from the pond, and informed his parents.

His father Dinanath, along with his three other sons (Rahul was the youngest) and neighbours, rushed to the cooling pond, and informed police. But as it was dark, divers could not be pressed into service.

A search was launched early today with 12 divers getting into the water. Chas SDO S.N. Ramand local MLA Biranchi Narain also reached the spot. The body was finally brought out around 4.30pm.

Principal of Saraswati Vidya Mandir R.R. Sharma described Rahul as an above-average student with interest in sports.

"Rahul was a good volleyball player, who represented the school in various events," Sharma said.