Kollam: A tragic accident occurred in Kollam’s Aryankavu early Wednesday morning when a private bus carrying pilgrims from Sabarimala collided with a lorry and plunged approximately 100 meters into a gorge along the National Highway (NH-744). The accident claimed the life of Dhanapalan, a passenger from Salem, Tamil Nadu, and left 18 others injured, including two in critical condition.
The private bus, which was returning to Salem after a pilgrimage to Sabarimala, was struck by a cement lorry that reportedly entered the wrong lane. The collision occurred around 3:45 am, sending the bus careening off the road into a dried-up riverbed. Of the 30 passengers onboard, 16 sustained injuries and were admitted to the Punalur Taluk Hospital, while the critically injured were taken to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital.
Suja Thomas, the President of Aryankavu Panchayat, emphasized that the area is a frequent site of accidents. “We had previously requested an ambulance in this region due to repeated incidents,” she noted. The crash highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures and better emergency response facilities in accident-prone areas like Aryankavu.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of NH-744, particularly in accident-prone zones like Aryankavu. Local authorities and residents have reiterated their demand for stricter traffic monitoring and enhanced infrastructure, including guardrails and better lighting, to prevent such mishaps. The tragedy also underscores the necessity of deploying permanent emergency response teams in vulnerable regions to ensure timely assistance during accidents.
