Tragic GPS mishap claims lives of two doctors in Kerala

New Delhi: In a devastating turn of events, two doctors lost their lives early Sunday morning in Kerala’s Ernakulam district when their car veered off the road and plunged into a river. The victims, Adwaith and Ajmal, both aged 29, were returning from a birthday celebration accompanied by three fellow healthcare professionals when the tragedy occurred. Preliminary reports indicate that the mishap may have resulted from their reliance on Google Maps for navigation.

The incident unfolded around 12:30 am near Gothuruth, as the group was making their way back to Kodungallur by car. Sources suggest that the ill-fated journey relied on directions from Google Maps, leading the driver to a perilous path.

A police officer from the Vadakkekara police station shed light on the incident, stating, “Mistaking the river for a waterlogged road, they drove on and the car fell into the Periyar river.” Tragically, the poor visibility stemming from heavy rain compounded the situation. Additionally, the absence of barricades and signboards indicating the proximity of the river likely contributed to the accident.

Prompted by the alarming turn of events, local residents rushed to the scene, rendering assistance in rescuing the passengers of the submerged vehicle. They promptly alerted the fire service personnel and the police. Fortunately, three of the passengers emerged from the ordeal with their lives intact, having been extricated from the car by a combination of local residents and fire and rescue personnel. Subsequently, they received immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital and were subsequently discharged following initial medical care.

Adwaith and Ajmal, the two doctors who tragically lost their lives in the incident, had been actively serving in the emergency ward at the AR Super Speciality Hospital in Kodungallur.

In response to this heart-wrenching accident, the police have initiated proceedings in accordance with Section 174 (dealing with unnatural death) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC). An investigation into the incident is underway to ascertain the exact sequence of events and to determine if any additional factors contributed to this tragic loss of life.

This deeply unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for caution when relying on GPS navigation, particularly in adverse weather conditions, and the importance of adhering to local road signage and safety measures.