Kerala family goes missing in US, cops say an SUV missing in river

It’s been six days since Sandeep Thottappilly, his wife Soumya and their two children – Siddanth and Saachi – went missing while on a road trip from Portland, Oregon, back to their home in California. Sandeep and family was in a maroon Honda Pilot with a California registration plate (7MMX138) and had last got in touch with their family in Surat on Thursday. The search has been on for a maroon Honda Pilot that went down an embankment on Friday around 1:10 pm on Highway 101 near Dora Creek. Sandeep's paternal aunt said, "We believe that the law enforcement agencies are looking for Sandeep and family, but they haven't communicated anything to us till now. His friends in the US are also searching for him. Sandeep's brother, Sachin, who lives in Canada, is now in California to help with the search operations." Sandeep’s family has appealed for help on social media in a bid to find their son and his family. To this, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that she was in touch with Indian Consulate in San Francisco. "They are coordinating with the Police. Rest assured. We will spare no effort. I have asked for a report from our Consul General in San Francisco," she tweeted.

I am in constant touch with our Consulate in San Francisco. They are coordinating with the Police. Rest assured. We will spare no effort. https://t.co/zmbQd1zs8P — Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 11, 2018

After an SUV matching that description went off the roadway on Friday near Dora Creek, first-responders and rescue crews arrived to find the vehicle "was completely submerged in the Eel River" amid heavy rains, the Cailfornia Highway Patrol said. "Due to the strong river current, and the poor clarity, the vehicle was unable to be located" on Friday, adding that authorities "have continuously searched and monitored the river in attempts to located the vehicle", with assistance from a CHP helicopter. -PTC News