Two young schoolchildren lost their lives in Pathanamthitta district when an autorickshaw ferrying students from Sree Narayana Public School at Karimanthodu plunged nearly 100 feet into a deep gorge near Thoompakkulam on November 26, 2025. The victims were identified as eight-year-old Adi Lakshmi, a Class 3 student from Thoompakkulam whose home was just 500 meters away, and four-year-old Yadhu Krishnan. Preliminary reports indicate the driver swerved abruptly to avoid a snake on the road around 3:30-4:00 PM, causing the vehicle to lose control and overturn into a stream-adjacent ravine.​

Adi Lakshmi died on the spot after the autorickshaw rolled over her before tumbling into the plantation area, while locals and residents rushed to the scene upon hearing the crash. The driver, identified as Anil, and four other children were rescued and admitted to a private hospital in Pathanamthitta; two critically injured students were later shifted to Kottayam Medical College Hospital and Konni Government Medical College. Initially, authorities believed only five children were aboard, but it emerged that six students traveled in the substitute auto arranged due to the regular vehicle's unavailability.​

Yadhu Krishnan's fate added to the tragedy: presumed to have escaped and reached home safely, his absence prompted parents to alert authorities, triggering a massive search involving police, fire services, and locals under Konni MLA KU Janesh Kumar's instructions. His body was discovered around 8:15 PM, several meters from the site, and rushed to hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The extensive nighttime operation highlighted the challenging terrain and depth of the fall.​

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The incident has sparked concerns over rural road safety, especially for school transport in snake-prone plantation areas during Kerala's monsoon season. Thannithodu panchayat member Kuttappan K A confirmed the snake avoidance as the trigger, noting Adi Lakshmi's family—father Sijin working in the UAE, mother Siji Panicker, and brother Advaith Krishnan—now grapples with profound loss. Investigations continue to assess vehicle conditions and driver response.​

Authorities have urged stricter safety protocols for student transport, including regular vehicle checks and awareness on wildlife hazards. The community mourns the young lives cut short, with calls for enhanced emergency response infrastructure in remote areas.​

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