Vasty Lalhmeltha, 13, a resident of Perzawl, a remote village in the newly-created Pherzawl district of Manipur bordering Mizoram, died on Monday while trying to save her friend from drowning.

Vasty was a class VIII student of Assembly of God School.

The incident occurred around 4.30pm on Monday when she and her friend Emmanuel Lalziding were bathing in the Tuithapui river that passes through Rengkai village in Churachandpur district, the general secretary of the Hmar Youth Association (HYA), Lalramsiem Neitham, said.

Emmanuel, who was swimming in the river, got caught in swirling waters. Putting her life at stake, Vasty dived to rescue her friend from drowning. The girl tried her best but was swept away in the current.

Eyewitnesses rushed to the spot and dragged the teenagers out, Neitham said. While Emmanuel was saved, Vasty was rushed to Churachandpur district hospital where doctors declared her brought dead.

Vasty had rented a house and stayed with her mother at Rengkai village. She was writing her exams. She was laid to rest at the Rengkai cemetery on Tuesday.