Four-year-old Vedika and her one-year-old brother Naitik left with their parents early yesterday for a temple nearly 280 km from their home in Gujarat's Vadodara district. 

Their father, Ramesh Padhiyar, and mother, Sonal Padhiyar, made a mannat (wish) at Bagdana Bapa Sitaram temple in Bhavnagar district. Their prayers had been answered, and this was a trip to thank God. But fate had other plans.

The family of four was travelling in a van, along with some relatives. The vehicle was crossing the Mahisagar river when the 40-year-old Gambhira bridge gave way.

The van and several other vehicles fell into the river. Under the water, Sonal somehow managed to open a door and came to the surface. 

She could not spot her children and husband and started screaming for help. Hours later, what she feared most was confirmed: her husband and children had died.

Our family and some other relatives from our village had hired a van to visit the Bagdana temple. 

Around 7 am, when we were crossing the bridge, it collapsed. The vehicle in front of our car fell into the river and our van followed. 

Source: Ndtv