Pathanamthitta: Two children died after the autorickshaw they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge at Thannithodu in Pathanamthitta on Wednesday. The accident happened around 3.30 pm at Thoompakkulam while a group of students were returning home from school.

The deceased have been identified as Aadhilekshmi, a Class 3 student, and Yadhukrishna (4), a UKG student — both studying at Sree Narayana Public School, Thekkuthode. The autorickshaw plunged nearly 100 metres, close to a stream.

There were six children in the autorickshaw. Hearing the crash, local residents rushed to the spot and rescued five children and the driver, identified as Anil. They were taken to a private hospital in Pathanamthitta, where Aadhilekshmi was declared brought dead. Two critically injured children have been shifted to the Government Medical College Hospital, Konni.

Yadhukrishna was first reported missing, after which the fire force launched an intensive search in the area and found his body around 8.10 pm beneath the autorickshaw. 

“It is understood that the driver lost control after spotting a snake on the road,” said Thannithodu panchayat member Kuttappan K A. He added that the children usually travelled on another autorickshaw, and Wednesday’s vehicle was arranged because the regular service was unavailable. Aadhilekshmi’s home is just 500 metres from the accident site, he said.

She is survived by her parents, Sijin, who works in the UAE, and Siji Panicker, and her elder brother Advaith Krishnan.