Bhubaneswar: A 50-year-old man reportedly died while rescuing a pet cat from a well in Odisha capital here today.

The deceased has been identified as Shivashankar Sahu of Ganjam, sources said.

The pet cat of a resident in Patia area of the city somehow fell into a well today morning. The owner of the cat could not rescue the animal even though he tried a lot by using a bucket tied to a rope, sources said.

Sibashankar, an ice cream vendor, volunteered himself to rescue the cat. He entered into the well but did not come out for a long time. Suspecting something unpleasant, Shankar Das, another person from the locality, went into the well, sources added.

Shivashankar’s elder brother Bhajaram too entered into the well after Shankar did not come out for quite some time.

Bhajaram rescued Shankar in a critical condition but he could not trace Shivashankar in the well. On being informed, the Fire Brigade personnel reached the spot and recovered Shivashankar’s body. The carcass of the cat was also retrieved from the well.

Shankar was rushed to a private hospital. His condition is stated to be serious.