Youth drowns in Bharathapuzha

PALAKKAD: A youth drowned while taking bath in the Bharathapuzha near Thrithala. The dead was identified as Sirajudeen, 20, son of Abubeckar of Cholakulam, Padijaramgadi. He had gone to the river with five friends and was trapped in a huge pit formed in the middle of the river due to sand-mining. The police, Fire and Rescue Services personnel and the local people rescued the other youths. One of them, Latheef, 20, has been admitted to a hospital in Pattambi.