Three killed as van falls in pond in Kerala

Two kids and a helper of a day care centre were killed and two injured after the van carrying them fell off a road into a pond in Maradu near here today, police said.

The accident occurred in Kattithara on a narrow road in Maradu municipality near Kochi, they said.

The van carrying at least three children less than five-year-old and a driver and the helper, plunged into the pond after skidding off the road this evening.

The accident site is about one-and-a-half kilometre away from the private day care centre from where they board the van to reach their home, they added.

While two kids and the helper died as they were taken to the hospital, the driver and another child have been admitted to a nearby hospital with injuries, police said.

While the condition of the driver is said to be serious, the condition of the kid is said to be out of danger.

Local residents who rushed to the accident site participated in the rescue operations, municipal authorities said.

The accident occurred after the van left a junction after dropping five other kids.