Driver was least bothered when asked about over speed, students’ response in Vadakkanchery bus accident

PALAKKAD: This day should be termed as unlucky Thursday. Nine lost their lives after the tourist bus carrying students rammed into the rear of a KSRTC bus in Vadakanchery. More than fifty people sustained injuries. Eyewitnesses said over speed of the tourist bus driver is the cause of the accident.

The students also responded that the tourist bus was over speeded from the time of departure. The bus was traveling at a speed of more than 80 kmph. The survivors said that when asked about the speed, his reply was that he was an experienced driver.

The tourist bus driver was very tired and was sweating after a trip to Velankanni. Shanty, mother of a student in the excursion group told the driver to be careful as she was suspicious. His response was not to be afraid and that there are two drivers.

The tourist bus which had an accident reached there after causing fear to other vehicles as well. The tourist bus hit the rear of the KSRTC bus while overtaking another vehicle.

The over-speeding tourist bus overturned after hitting the rear of the KSRTC bus. After hitting, it moved slowly and fell into a swamp. The accident happened while trying to overtake the KSRTC bus. Eyewitnesses said the tourist bus overtook other vehicles. In the impact, a part of the KSRTC bus was inside the tourist bus.

The rescue operations started immediately after the accident. However, the effort of taking out those stranded in the tourist bus was difficult. Many people were taken out after cutting large chunks of the metal. Some died on the spot itself. Many passengers of the KSRTC bus fell on the road.

The rescue workers said the KSRTC bus braked suddenly when a person showed hands. Sudheesh and Jijo, who came for rescue operations, stated that though the over speeded tourist bus applied brakes, it couldn’t stop.

The accident happened near Palakkad Vadakkanchery Anjumoorthy Mangalam Kollathara Bus stop at 12.30 am Thursday morning. The bus carrying children of Mar Baselious Vidya Niketan School in Mulanthuruthy in Ernakulam hit behind a KSRTC bus going to Coimbatore from Kottarakkara.

Six men and three women are among the dead. Rohit Raj (24) of Thrissur Nadathara Kozhukulli Gokulam, O Anoop (22) of Kollam Valliyodu Vaidyankunnu Shanthi Mandiram, Nancy George, V K Vishnu, employees of the school are among the dead. Police said nearly 50 people have sustained injuries. The death toll is likely to rise.