Man drowns after car falls into river

Kochi: An ex-serviceman drowned after the car he was travelling in plunged into Periyar in Puthenvelikkara on Friday morning. Arumughan, son of Narayanan (53), a resident of Mananjerikunnu, lost control of the vehicle while boarding a makeshift junkar, plying between Station Kadavu and Valiapazhampillithuruthu, at Puthenvelikkara in Paravur. His wife Subashini was inside the car when the mishap took place.
According to police, the accident took place when Arumughan tried to push the car to make space for other vehicles onboard. But he lost control of the vehicle and fell into the water from the vessel.
"The residents were able to rescue Subashini as she had managed to open the door and jump out. Though they tried to save Arumugham, they failed to do so as he had the seatbelt on. The rescuers couldn't unlock the same. The residents were able to take him out of the car after the submerged vehicle was pulled out. The husband and wife were rushed to a private hospital in Kodungalloor but the former was declared brought dead," said Puthenvelikkara sub-inspector.
Arumughan, who was working in the Gulf, was in the city to attend his niece's wedding.
He is survived by his sons, Arshan and Akhil. The body of the deceased has been kept at Paravoor Taluk Hospital.
The body will be handed over to family after postmortem on Saturday.