Family Of 5 Narrowly Escape Drowning As Car Falls Into River After Following Google Maps [Video]

Google Maps is something that almost everyone uses on a daily basis. We rely on these maps when we are on road trips, as they give us an idea about the time and distance required to complete the journey.

However, there have been several instances where maps have misdirected people to the wrong places and even caused accidents.

Here, we have one such incident from Kerala, where a family of five traveling in a car fell into a river after following Google Maps. Thankfully, the occupants in the car escaped unharmed.

The incident happened in Kerala’s Thrissur district at around 7:30 pm near the Ezhunnallath Kadavu Check Dam region. The road connects Kondazhy and Thiruvilwamala panchayats across a river. The family was returning from the Kuthampully region.

The driver was using Google Maps on his phone, and according to him, the navigation displayed a route that guided them towards a road that appeared to pass over the check dam. However, there was no road. The driver followed the directions, and before he realized it, the car fell into the water.

Balakrishnan was driving the car, accompanied by his family members Sadanandan, Vishalakshi, Rukmini, and Krishnaprasad. Other members of the family were traveling in a different car behind them.

When they saw the car fall into the river, they rushed to help. Locals also gathered within no time, preventing a major mishap. The occupants of the car escaped without any major injuries. Police arrived at the scene, but by then, everyone had already been rescued.

Reports mention that similar accidents have happened in the past at the same location. People often rely on Google Maps when traveling to new destinations, assuming that the navigation is showing them the correct route.

Not the First Time

In the past, there have been several incidents that raise questions about the reliability of these navigation apps. In Uttar Pradesh, there was even a case where a car fell from the top of a bridge that was under construction.

Many blamed Google Maps for the mishap, stating that it showed the incomplete bridge as the fastest way to travel from Navadia to Khallpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Unfortunately, three people in the car, including the driver and passengers, died after the fall. A day after the accident, four engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) and one official from Google Maps were arrested for negligence and the deaths of the three men.

Similarly, there have been cases where people following Google Maps have ended up on jungle tracks with no connectivity. It has also redirected to highways and expressways that are underconstruction.

While these apps provide turn-by-turn navigation, they often miss out on critical information. If you are traveling to a new place alone or with family, it is always a good idea to stop at a local shop and ask for directions if you have any doubts.

This way, you can be sure that you are on the right track and have not taken a wrong route. Sometimes, locals can even suggest shortcuts that are not available on Google Maps.