Valparai accident: Driver’s lack of experience caused crash that killed 10, says MVD report

KOCHI: The Motor Vehicles Department has informed the Kerala High Court that the main reason behind the Valparai vehicle accident, which killed 10 people including teachers who had gone on a tour, was the driver’s lack of experience.

The report said the driver failed to control the speed properly while coming down the hairpin bends. Instead of shifting to a lower gear and using engine braking, the driver repeatedly applied the brakes. This caused brake fading, after which the vehicle went out of control at the bend.

The driver did not have enough experience in driving through hilly areas, the report stated. The report also pointed out that the safety wall at the accident spot was not high enough to stop the vehicle from falling into the valley. According to the report filed by Palakkad RTO Enforcement Wing Motor Vehicle Inspector K.K. Ajith Kumar, the evidence and circumstances show that the driver's negligence and unsafe driving led to the accident.

The matter was considered by a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice S. Murali Krishna. The court was hearing a suo motu petition related to illegal modifications made to vehicles.

The accident involved a tourist group from Govt. LP School Pang in Pallipparamba, Malappuram. The accident occurred on April 17 while the group was travelling from Valparai to Pollachi. The Tempo Traveller hit a road barrier at the 13th hairpin bend and fell towards the 9th bend.

The High Court observed that it had seen videos recorded before the accident. The court also noted that there were indications that unauthorised flashlights were installed inside the vehicle. The court said the Union Home Ministry had already issued a circular regarding such issues. As the central government sought more time to submit its explanation, the court postponed further hearing of the case to the 30th.