Kothamangalam: Three youths travelling on the Palamattam-Neryamangalam road had a miraculous escape when their car fell into a trench dug as part of the renovation of a
bridge at Cherupara. Isahak, Mustafa and Gokul had set off from Vadakkancherry in Thrissur when the accident took place at 2 am on Friday. They were reportedly heading to Munnar from Kothamangalam by following Google Map.
The 30-foot deep trench had at least 10-foot water and the men were not familiar with the ongoing work at this stretch.
Two of the youths managed to get out of the car swam to safety. Gokul, who did know swimming, climbed on to the submerged car and stood there until help came.
Caught inside the trench not knowing what had happened, the youths spent about 10 minutes inside. They were rescued by workers who were returning from the night shift
from a rubber factory at Pothumpara.
Though there was a diversion for small vehicles to pass, there was no signs warning motorists about the trench in the middle of the road. A plastic ribbon pulled across the road served as a warning.
Local residents staged a protest alleging that it was the contractor's negligence that caused the accident.
