Kottayam: Google Maps Error Leads Electric Car Into Stream; Couple Narrowly Escapes
Josy and Sheeba Joseph survive after car plunges into flooded path in Kuruppanthara; locals blame repeated GPS errors
In yet another troubling case of GPS misdirection, an electric car carrying Josy Joseph (62) and his wife Sheeba (58) from Chethipuzha, Kottayam, veered into a stream near Kuruppanthara around 11 am on Wednesday. The couple narrowly escaped what could have been a fatal accident, thanks to their quick thinking and timely help from locals.
The mishap occurred as they were heading to a friend’s house in Manvettom. Guided by Google Maps, they took a flooded, poorly visible road that led directly toward an overflowing stream. As water started seeping into the vehicle, Josy and Sheeba immediately opened the doors and exited. According to witnesses, had the car moved just another 1.5 feet, it would have plunged into deeper waters, likely resulting in tragedy.
Locals and workers from a nearby timber mill rushed to the spot and helped recover the vehicle. Visuals of the partially submerged car emerged a day later, underscoring the dangers of relying blindly on navigation apps in flood-prone areas.
Residents say this isn’t the first such incident in the area, which regularly sees flooding during the monsoon. Despite warning signboards placed near the stream, many visitors following GPS directions fail to notice them — leading to repeated mishaps.“The entire road was submerged, and we couldn’t tell where it ended,” Josy said, describing the harrowing experience.
The incident has reignited concerns about the reliability of digital navigation tools in rural and flood-affected areas, prompting calls for improved mapping accuracy and greater driver caution.
