2 Kerala doctors killed after following Google Maps directions into river

Two doctors died after being 'misguided' by GPS (Representational image)

Two doctors died after GPS misguidance led their car into water in Kerala, the Times of India has reported. Doctors Ajmal Asif, 28, and Advaith, 28, were travelling from Kodungallur to Kochi when the tragedy occurred. The two, along with three other passengers, were driving on an unfamiliar road when they followed GPS directions and drove into a river amid heavy downpour.

Dr Advaith and Dr Asif died in the accident. Their three companions managed to extricate themselves and were rescued.

According to the Times of India report, the party of five was returning to Kochi after celebrating Dr Advaith’s birthday on Saturday. Dr Advaith was at the wheel of the Honda Civic and turned on Google Maps to navigate the unfamiliar route.

The GPS directed the car towards a waterlogged road and asked them to drive straight ahead. They apparently lost their way and drove into a river.

“It seems like the car did not take a left turn as recommended by the map, but it went ahead, leading to the accident. A local resident near the accident spot said the car came at a high speed and jumped five meters away from the river bank. Due to the heavy rain, they might have mistaken the water body as a flooded road and hence might not have reduced the speed of the car,” said Vadakkekara police station house officer V C Sooraj.

One of the survivors of the tragedy confirmed the group was using GPS. “Yes we were using GPS. However, since I was not driving, I can’t confirm if it was a technical glitch of the application or a human error,” Dr Gaziq Thabseer told TOI.