KOCHI: An expedition to the hill station of Kodaikanal by a team from Alappuzha has turned tragic with two youths losing their lives after inhaling poisonous gas while preparing grilled chicken in their hotel room.
The deceased have been identified as Thomas Cheriyan (Thommi), 21, a fourth year B-Tech student of Rajagiri School of Engineering and Technology, Ernakulam, and son of Cheriyan Thomas, Punamadam, Thiruvambadi, and Vipin, 26, their driver of Ullas Bhavan, Alappuzha.
It is learnt that the youths inhaled carbon monoxide emanated from the chicken grilled in their hotel room. However, details are not known. The condition of their three friends is said to be critical and they have been admitted to a hospital there. “They left Alappuzha on Friday in a traveller and we got information about their death on Sunday morning. There were around 8 to 12 members in the team.
We don’t know the exact cause of the death. Parents of Thomas have left for Kodaikanal on Sunday at 11 am. We got information that they died after inhaling poisonous carbon monoxide emanated after grilling the chicken,” said Joseph A J, cousin of Thomas.
Thomas leaves behind his father, mother Jessy and sisters Elizabeth and Tressa. Vipin is survived by father Surendran, mother Vinodini and brother Vimal.