School bus driver dies after collapsing at wheel; four students injured

ATTINGAL: A 60-year-old school bus driver died after suffering a suspected heart attack while driving a school bus, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and crash into a closed shop. Four students sustained injuries in the incident. The accident occurred at around 4.15 pm on Wednesday at Muttappalam Market Junction in Chirayinkeezhu.

The deceased was identified as Muralidharan Nair (60) of Vijayabhavan, Kodumon, Attingal, who was employed as a bus driver at Mother India International Public School, a private English-medium school in Attingal. The school bus was travelling from the Mudapuram area to Azhoor via Muttappalam with students on board when Muralidharan reportedly collapsed at the wheel after reaching Muttappalam Junction. He slumped sideways from the driver's seat.

A school staff member travelling on the bus rushed to the driver's seat after noticing the incident, but the bus continued moving and eventually crashed into a closed shop near the junction.

Four students were injured in the impact. Alfaiz (12), Abaidas (13), and Aadish (10) sustained minor injuries, while Adheesh (12) suffered a dental injury. They were admitted to a nearby private hospital, given primary treatment and later discharged.

Local residents rushed to the scene and shifted both the driver and the injured students to a nearby hospital. However, Muralidharan could not be saved. His body was later shifted to the mortuary of the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital.

Muralidharan Nair is survived by his sons, Ajesh and Ajith. His wife, Vijayamma, predeceased him.