KOTTAYAM: A young man, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, drove his car into the river at Attuvelakadavu in Maravanthuruthu. The driver, a native of Muttunkal in Vadayar, was pulled to safety by a boatman who saw the vehicle sinking. The incident occurred around noon today. Witnessing the car speeding towards the river, local boatmen rushed to the scene with a country boat. They managed to bring the boat close to the sinking car, opened the door, and pulled the driver to safety.

The car was completely submerged in the water shortly after the youth was transferred to the boat. If not for the boatmen's quick response, the driver could have drowned. However, despite being saved, he engaged in an argument with the rescuers, oddly blaming them for opening the car door, which he claimed led to its sinking. A video of the incident, recorded by one of the boatmen, has surfaced. Reports indicate that the driver was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.