Thiruvananthapuram city is witnessing a worrying rise in incidents where children lock their parents inside homes and take family cars for joyrides. The latest occurred early Friday, when a 14-year-old boy and his school friend crashed the family car at Karamana after driving through the city streets.

The accident happened around 2am, when the vehicle broke through a roadside railing and plunged several feet down, landing upside down, according to visuals broadcast on television channels.

Police said "miraculously" both boys were unhurt and managed to climb back to the road on their own. Their joyride began in Kannammoola and ended on the Karamana–Thampanoor road.

Parents alerted only after crash

The Karamana police informed the parents after the incident. Only then did the family realise what had happened, an officer said.

A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the car’s registered owner, the mother.

Growing trend raises concern

Police note a surge in such episodes across the city, with children reportedly locking their parents indoors before venturing out in vehicles or leaving home. Police warn that such stunts are extremely dangerous and have potential legal consequences.