Narrow escape for four passengers as car overturns into canal

Kochi: Four passengers in a car narrowly escaped after it veered off the road and overturned into Periyar Valley Canal in Keerampara, Kothamangalam, around 7am on Monday.The Maruti Alto, belonging to Rajan Thuruthummal, submerged in water, even as passengers managed to get out of it before it sank. Fire force officials said windows of the car were not shut and passengers were able to open the doors and get out in time.A fire force team from Kothamangalam arrived at the scene and, with the help of locals, used a winch from an accident recovery vehicle to pull the car to the shore.