Did a 31-Year-Old Man Lose His Life on His Birthday After a Car Accident in Kerala?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bijoy Antony tragically lost his life on his birthday.
- The car accident occurred in Thathampally, Kerala.
- Two friends survived due to their swimming skills.
- Rescue teams faced challenges due to strong currents.
- The incident highlights the dangers of driving in heavy rain.
Chennai, June 15 (NationPress) A heartbreaking incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when a 31-year-old man tragically lost his life after the car he was driving fell into a canal at Thathampally, located near the Rajiv Nagar jetty in Kerala's Alappuzha.
The victim, Bijoy Antony, a local resident of Thathampally, was returning home with two friends after celebrating his birthday when the fatal accident took place.
Local ward member Kochuthresiamma Joseph stated that the group had been celebrating Bijoy’s special day. She expressed her sorrow, saying, “It’s devastating that such a tragedy occurred on his birthday.”
The Alappuzha Fire and Rescue Station received an emergency alert at 1:55 a.m. Officials indicated that the vehicle veered off the road, possibly due to poor visibility and slippery conditions resulting from heavy rain, before plunging into the canal.
The car was eventually discovered approximately 50 feet from the jetty. Bijoy’s friends, Binoy Thomas from Kuttichira and Jijo Lonan from Kurishinkal, were also in the vehicle but fortunately survived. Both were capable swimmers and managed to escape the submerged car.
“They attempted to save Bijoy, but the current was too strong. He was unable to swim and was swept away,” remarked Joji N. Joy, Assistant Station Officer in Alappuzha.
Fire and rescue teams conducted a search operation in the canal and ultimately recovered Bijoy’s body.
Despite efforts to revive him through CPR, they were unsuccessful. Officials noted that the recent heavy rains had elevated the canal's water level and intensified the current, contributing to the perilous situation.
The accident appears to have resulted from a combination of poor visibility, wet road conditions, and strong currents.
Bijoy recently returned from the UK and was employed at a car dealership in Alappuzha. He is survived by his parents, Babychan and Pushpamma, and an elder brother. His body has been transferred to the Government Medical College in Vandanam for post-mortem and will be returned to the family afterward.