Kozhikode (Kerala) | A woman and her seven-year-old son drowned after the two were swept away in a river while washing clothes at Kuttiady in this northern district on Saturday, police said.

The deceased were identified as Remya (36) and her son Sivanand, a resident of Kaitherimukku near Kuttiady.

According to police, Remya, who worked as a pharmacist in Kuttiady, was washing clothes on the riverbank in the evening when Sivanand accidentally slipped into the water.

Officials said Remya jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue her son, but both were swept away by the strong current.

Local residents rushed to the spot and rescued Remya, who was taken to a hospital but later died, police said.

Police, Fire and Rescue Services personnel and local residents searched for Sivanand, whose body was later recovered at around 8 pm.

Officials said heavy rains had raised the river's water level.

Bodies of both the deceased will be handed over to their relatives after the post-mortem examination, police added.