Three dental students drown while bathing in Palavanpadi River in Kothamangalam

KOCHI: Three students drowned while bathing in the Palavanpadi river in Kothamangalam on Sunday. The victims have been identified as Biyon, a native of Thiruvalla, Harish, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, and Atul, a native of Kottayam. All three are students of Mar Baselios Dental College, Kothamangalam. The police and fire brigade reached the spot and retrieved the bodies.

The accident took place around noon today. A group of nine had gone to the river near the downstream area of Idamalayar dam. Biyon slipped into the deep pockets of the water, forcing the other two to jump in to help. However, all three were swept away by the strong current of the river. Though the students raised an alarm, the low mobile connectivity and the remote forest location delayed help. Kocals and the fire brigade reached the spot and recovered after a search that lasted for hours.

The bodies are currently being kept in the hospital morgue. They will be handed over to the relatives after the formalities. Kuttampuzha Panchayat Vice President Eldhose Baby said that although boards were installed in the river warning of the danger, the students ignored them to enter the dangerous waters.