Kozhikode (PTI): A grief-stricken couple taking their son's body for performing last rites were among four killed when the ambulance they were travelling in fell into a river at Kuttiadi near here on Saturday.

The couple, hailing from Kallachi adjacent to Kuttiadi, were bringing the body of Vijesh, who passed away in Bangalore on Thursday, for cremation when the mishap occurred, police said. The injured had been rushed to the Medical College hospital.

Locals, who first rushed to the spot, broke the front portion of the vehicle and pulled out the occupants. However, two of them had died by then, police said.

Fire force and police personnel later recovered another body from under the ambulance while one more person died at the hospital, they said.