5-year-old drowns during school trip

Kochi: A 5-year-old boy met with a tragic end as he drowned in a canal during an excursion from a pre-school to an amusement park in Kizhakkambalam on Tuesday.The deceased was identified as Muhammed Adam, son of Muhammed Nazeer and Ameera, hailing from Chengalam in Kottayam. As per the FIR, the boy was part of a group excursion from a pre-school in Palarivattom to Lions Jungle Park in Pazhanganad, Kizhakkambalam.Police said the boy went missing around 1pm while teachers were regrouping students after lunch. When asked, one child reportedly said he had been taken away in a car, triggering panic among teachers who initially feared a kidnapping. Police were alerted and also began looking for a suspect. A search was launched by staff and others at the park, and he was later found in a water-filled canal within the premises, said an officer with Thadiyittaparambu police.He was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead.According to police, the pre-school organised the excursion despite it being vacation time as it was previously scheduled.Police said that they found irregularities and safety violations at the park and a detailed investigation was launched. Police have registered a case of unnatural death and begun investigation. Police said that the body would be handed over to the kin after an autopsy on Wednesday.