Thrissur: In a heart-wrenching accident early Tuesday morning, five people, including two children, lost their lives in Nattika, Thriprayar, near Thrissur, when a lorry ran over individuals sleeping on the roadside. The incident occurred around 4:00 a.m. near JK Cinemas, where the timber-laden lorry veered off the national highway, broke through a divider, and collided with the unsuspecting victims.
The lorry, en route from Kannur, caused instant fatalities for five victims while injuring 11 others. The injured were rushed to Thrissur Medical College for urgent medical attention. Preliminary investigations reveal that the driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel, leading to this devastating accident.
Among the deceased are Kaliyappan (50), Jeevan (4), Nagamma (39), and Bangazi (20), all of whom were homeless individuals from outside Kerala. The identity of the second child victim remains unknown. Police officials, including Kodungallur DySP V.K. Raju and Valapad SHO M.K. Ramesh, promptly arrived at the scene to initiate investigations.
The police have detained Alex (33) and Jose (54), both Kannur residents, for questioning. The tragedy has brought to light the plight of roadside sleepers and the consequences of driver fatigue, emphasizing the urgent need for stricter road safety measures. Investigations by Valapad police are ongoing. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among locals, highlighting the pressing need for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of driving regulations. Many have called for better monitoring of driver fatigue, especially for those operating heavy vehicles on long routes. Additionally, the tragedy has brought attention to the vulnerability of homeless individuals living on roadsides, underscoring the need for more shelter facilities and welfare initiatives. Authorities are being urged to take swift action to prevent such avoidable disasters in the future.
