Alappuzha: A 31-year-old man died in a tragic accident in the early hours of Sunday after the car he was driving plunged into a canal at Thathampally, near the Rajiv Nagar jetty in Kerala’s Alappuzha district. The incident occurred on what was reportedly his birthday.
The deceased, Bijoy Antony, a resident of Thathampally, was returning home with two friends following a birthday celebration when the mishap took place. According to local ward member Kochuthresiamma Joseph, the trio had been out marking Bijoy’s birthday. “We understand they were returning from a birthday celebration. It’s heartbreaking that such a tragedy unfolded on his special day,” she said.
The Alappuzha Fire and Rescue Station received an emergency call at 1:55 a.m. Officials reported that the car veered off the road, likely due to poor visibility and slippery conditions caused by heavy rain, and fell into the canal.
The submerged vehicle was later located about 50 feet from the jetty. Bijoy's two companions—Binoy Thomas from Kuttichira and Jijo Lonan from Kurishinkal, Thathampally—managed to escape as both were swimmers. However, Bijoy, who did not know how to swim, was swept away by a strong undercurrent.
“They tried to rescue him, but the current was too powerful,” said Joji N. Joy, Assistant Station Officer at the Alappuzha Fire and Rescue Station.
Rescue teams launched a search operation and eventually recovered Bijoy’s body from the canal. Despite administering CPR, they were unable to revive him. Officials noted that recent heavy rains had raised the water level and intensified the current, adding to the danger.
The cause of the accident is believed to be a combination of reduced visibility, rain-slicked roads, and strong canal currents.
Bijoy had recently returned from the United Kingdom and was employed at a car dealership in Alappuzha. He is survived by his parents, Babychan and Pushpamma, and an elder brother. His body has been taken to the Government Medical College in Vandanam for post-mortem and will be handed over to his family afterwards.
With IANS inputs