Kottayaam: A man and woman were killed after a car plunged into a river at Kaippuzhamuttu on the Cherthala-Kumarakom route Monday night. The deceased are Maharashtra natives James George (48) and Sayli Rajendra Sarje (27) from Thane in Maharashtra.

The accident occurred around 8:45 p.m. According to witnesses, the car headed toward Cherthala, veered off the main road onto the service road before plunging into the water body.

It is learnt that the duo was travelling in a rental car from Kumarakom to Ernakulam. They were rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam, where the duo was declared brought dead.

Local people were the first to attempt a rescue and were joined by Fire & Rescue personnel. It is understood that the area where the car submerged was at least 20 feet deep. Officials suspect that the passengers met with the accident after relying on Google Maps for direction.