Thrissur: Four Class 11 students were rescued from sinking in the Peechi Dam reservoir in Thrissur on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred around 2.45 pm while the group, all students of St Clare's Girls Higher Secondary School, Thrissur, was visiting a friend’s home to attend the Ambu Perunnal at Lourde Matha Church, Peechi.  

“There were five girls in total. While one stayed on the shore, the other four entered the water. Three ventured into deeper areas and began struggling. Locals rushed to their aid after hearing their cries and rescued all four,” said Peechi ward member Babu Thomas.  

The students were immediately taken to Jubilee Mission Hospital in Thrissur. Of the hospitalised students, two - Ann Grace (16) and Aleena (16) - are from Pattikkad, and the other two - Erin (16) and Nima (16) - are Peechi natives.

"Three of them are in critical condition and placed in ventilator support. One of the girls is in relatively better condition and is placed in NIV. Their pulses couldn't be detected initially. Their blood pressure was very low, but it has since stabilised," Revenue Minister K Rajan said after visiting the hospital. "An expert team from the Thrissur Medical College will arrive shortly," he added.