2 weeks Ago
KOZHIKODE : Two elderly women were killed, and 25 others were injured after a KSRTC ( Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) bus plunged into a river near Thiruvambady on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased are Thesyamma Mathew, 75, of Anakkampoyil, and Kamala, 61, of Kannappanchal, both places near Thiruvambady. Around 15 persons, including the bus driver and conductor, were admitted to various hospitals in the district.
Police said the accident occurred near Pulloorampara around 2pm. The bus, plying on the hilly Muthappanpuzha-Thiruvambady-Kozhikode, had fallen into the Kaliyanpuzha River after hitting the side barrier of a bridge across it. Only the front portion of the bus was submerged in water as it came to a halt after crashing into trees on the riverbank.
Transport minister seeks detailed report on accident Thiruvambady district panchayat member Bose Jacob said most of the bus passengers hailed from Thiruvambady, Anakkampoyil and Pulloorampara areas. “Residents and workers involved in road development projects in the area immediately launched a rescue operation. Those trapped inside the bus were rescued after it was lifted using two cranes and an earthmover, which were there for the road works.
They also saved around five persons who were thrown into the water. The bus had nosedived into the river; luckily, the water level was low,” he said. Initial reports said the accident occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle, but the real reason is yet to be ascertained.
Officials of the motor vehicles department have conducted a detailed inspection of the bus and the accident site. Transport minister K B Ga neshkumar has sought a detailed report on the accident. Thiruvambady MLA Linto Joseph said the bus was coming down a slope and this could have contributed to the accident.
“Road development works, including the reconstruction of the bridge, were currently underway on the Anakkampoyil-Thiruvambady stretch as part of a KIIFB-funded project. The area is characterised by slopes and inclines, and this could have played a role,” he said. The injured have been admitted to Lisa Hospital, Thiruvambady; KMCT Medical College Hospital, Manasserry; Shanthi Hospital, Omassery; and Govt Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
Except for two persons admitted to the medical college hospital, their condition is reportedly stable..
