Kerala: 2 Young Doctors Die as Car Plunges into Periyar River While 'Following' GPS Directions
The driver apparently missed the turn pointed by Google Maps and drove straight into a waterlogged stretch. Except, there was no road there and the car started sinking into the river water
Two young doctors with promising careers died in Kerala after their GPS navigation system led them straight into a Periyar river. The incident occurred in the Gothuruth area in Kochi where the Honda Civic with five people plunged into the river at around 12.30 am on Sunday.
The deceased has been identified as Dr Advaith (29) and his colleague Dr Ajmal (29), both working at a private hospital in the district. Three others who were travelling with them sustained injuries and are under treatment at a hospital nearby.
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As it was dark and raining, and the road was unfamiliar to them, Dr. Advaith, who was behind the wheel turned to GPS to get help in navigation.
The driver apparently missed the turn pointed by Google Maps and drove straight into a waterlogged stretch. Except, there was no road there and the car started sinking into the river water.
“The visibility was very low at the time due to heavy rains. They were following a route shown by the Google map. But it seems like instead of taking a left turn as suggested by the maps, they mistakenly went forward and fell into the river," police said.
The locals rushed to the spot to rescue and informed the fire service personnel and police.
A local resident told the media that three passengers, including a woman, were rescued by them.
A scuba diving team was pressed into service by the authorities to recover the bodies of the two deceased doctors. The condition of those undergoing treatment is said to be stable.
In a similar incident in May earlier this year, two tourists in US’ Hawaii had a scary experience when their GPS navigation system led them straight into the ocean.
(With PTI Inputs)
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