KOTTAYAM: A student died due to drowning while taking a bath with his friends. The deceased has been identified as Jerome Jolly (19), son of Advocate Jolly James of Eettikal in Mundakkayam. The incident happened at Arpookara Arattukadavu on Sunday evening. He came to Gandhinagar for the birthday celebration of Jerome's friend's relative. After the celebration, he reached the nearby pier with his friends.

Seeing his friends take a bath, Jerome, who did not know how to swim, also joined them. He was swept away by the river and those with tried to save him but failed. After being informed by local residents, a scuba team led by Kottayam ASTO Shabu reached the spot and conducted a search. The body was found 12 metres away from the shore at 4.50 pm.

He was then shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Gandhinagar police reached the spot and took action. Jerome was a graphic designing student at Image in Kottayam. Mother: Betsy. Siblings: Joel and Janet.