Kochi: Four youths drowned while another one was rescued after the car they were driving in fell into PAP canal at Gadimedu near Pollachi on Sunday. The deceased were identified as Amal Paul, 20, son of Polachan, Ezhattumugham, Jithin Joy, 27, son of Mookkanoor Parambayam Parapilli Joy, Jackson, 20, son of K.P. Ouseph, Kolanchery, Manickamangalam and Rijo, 33, son of Johny, Ayyampuzha. Jithin was driving the car and lost control of it at the bridge. Alfa, son on Paul P. Joseph of Puthussery, managed to come out of the sinking car and was rescued by a truck driver who was bathing near the canal.
According to cops, the five were on a pleasure trip and started from Angamaly on Saturday. They visited Munnar and Marayur and were returning via Pollachi when the mishap took place. The accident happened at 6.30 am when the car hit a railing of the bridge across Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) canal near Gomangalam on Pollachi-Udumalpettai route. The bodies of three youths were fished out by 10 am while that of Rijo was recovered by 3 pm by Fire Force personnel. “The water flow in the canal was heavy and was 11-feet high. The car was washed away and finally recovered from a few metres down,” they said. Angamaly MLA Roji M. John reached the spot and ensured the bodies brought back on Sunday.
