A heartbreaking accident unfolded near Challoli Junction on Wednesday night when a car carrying a family plunged into a 30-foot-deep pond, claiming the life of 19-year-old Jeril James. The mishap occurred around 8:15 pm as the vehicle turned off Challoli Junction onto Anikkad Church Road and veered off into a roadside pond, reportedly dug for a drinking water project and left unprotected.

Jeril, the son of James Joseph and Beena James from Chandrankunnel House in Chengalam, was seated in the rear with his mother. His father, a teacher in Andhra Pradesh, was at the wheel. The family was returning after dropping Jeril’s younger brother at a school hostel in Ranni. Jeril had recently completed his Plus Two and was attending entrance coaching classes.

Local residents, alerted by the crash, rushed to the site and tied the sinking vehicle to an iron pillar using a rope. James and the car’s driver, Rajeesh, seated in front, managed to escape. Tragically, the rope snapped before Jeril could be rescued. Beena was thrown into the water when the rear door flung open, but was saved by Deepak, a migrant labourer from a nearby construction site who bravely jumped into the pond.

Despite rapid efforts from locals and a scuba team from Pampady, Jeril could not be saved. Residents say similar unguarded ponds dot the area and have called for immediate safety measures. Deepak’s swift and selfless action was widely praised by the community.