A 19-year-old youth hailing from Poovachal drowned while bathing near the Eve’s beach at Kovalam on Thursday evening.
The deceased has been identified as Balu. According to the Kovalam Police, the incident occurred around 5 p.m. when he got into the water near the rocks at the end of the Eve’s beach. Due to a sudden undercurrent, he lost balance and was swept under water.
Police said that a life guard and another person — Balachandran, who sets up beach umbrellas — jumped into the water and brought him ashore.
“The boy did not seem to know swimming. He had almost lost his life when I carried him to the shore,” said Mr. Balachdran.
The youth was later taken to a private hospital at Ambalathara, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. A post-mortem examination and inquest will be held on Friday.
