Alappuzha: A devastating accident in Alappuzha on Monday night claimed the lives of five first-year MBBS students from TD Medical College, Vandanam, and left six others critically injured. The mishap occurred when their overloaded car, carrying 11 occupants, collided with a KSRTC Fast Passenger bus amid heavy rain. The crash also injured 15 bus passengers.
Authorities identified the deceased as Devananthan (19) from Malappuram, Sreedev Valson (19) from Palakkad, Ayush Shaji (19) from Kottayam, PP Mohammed Ibrahim (19) from Lakshadweep, and Mohammed Abdul Jabbar (19) from Kannur. The accident took place near Changanassery Junction in Kalarkode around 9:30 pm.
Eyewitnesses reported that the car was speeding when it collided head-on with the Guruvayur–Kayamkulam Fast Passenger bus, leaving the vehicle crushed and three of its occupants dead on the spot. Rescue efforts by bystanders and local residents involved using tools to extract the trapped passengers from the mangled car.
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) findings suggest that the car’s age, severe overloading, and adverse weather conditions contributed to the crash. The collision caused significant traffic congestion on the national highway, which was eventually cleared after the damaged vehicles were removed by the police and fire services.
The tragic incident highlights the need for adherence to road safety measures to prevent such heartbreaking losses.
