CHATHANNOOR: One of the children who ventured into the river for a photoshoot drowned in front of his sister. His neighbour managed to escape. The deceased has been identified as Arun (14), son of Pattathanam native Sabariraj and Viji. The tragedy took place in front of Arun's twin sister. The photographer was taken into police custody.

The incident took place in the Kunduman river at around 2 pm on Friday. Arun, his twin sister Alina, neighbour Kannan and photographer Sibin from Thazhuthala were in the group. The twins used to go for photoshoots and short film shoots with Sibin in the past.

Sibin was filming Arun and Kannan swimming in the river when the two were dragged into a deeper area in the river. Though locals were able to rescue Kannan immediately, they did not find Arun.

Arun's body was found later during a search conducted by locals, fire force and a scuba team. Alina, who lost consciousness after seeing Arun drowning, and Kannan, who escaped, were admitted to a private medical college in Meeyannoor. Sibin is being questioned by the police. Arun's body is currently kept at the mortuary of the District Hospital.