Kollam: Three people, including a firefighter, died in a tragic incident at Neduvathoor while attempting to rescue a woman who had allegedly jumped into a well early Monday.

The deceased have been identified as Soni S Kumar, a firefighter from the Kottarakkara Fire & Rescue Unit and a native of Attingal; Archana of Neduvathoor and her friend Shivakrishnan.

The incident happened around 12:15 a.m. when the Fire and Rescue Department received an emergency call. The well was reportedly about 80 feet deep.

Soni descended using ropes and other equipment to save the woman, but the top structure of the well collapsed during the operation, causing all three to fall in.

Archana is survived by her three children.

Soni was pulled out with serious injuries but succumbed to them, while the bodies of Archana and Shivakrishnan were later recovered. 

Preliminary investigations suggest Shivakrishnan’s negligence contributed to the accident. Firefighters had warned him not to approach the well, noting it was old and the structure might be weak. He ignored the warning, which allegedly led to the collapse.