Prakash succumbs to injuries after saving 22 passengers

KALLAMBALAM: KSRTC driver P Prakash, who saved the lives of 22 passengers when the bus he was driving caught fire in a collision, succumbed to his injuries. The brave heart driver, who showed commendable presence of mind despite suffering burns was the last one to be saved from the burning bus.

Prakash aged 50, a driver of Kilimanoor depot was undergoing treatment after he suffered burns in the accident that happened at Vayakal near Kottarakkara on June 15. His vehicle proceeding to the capital city collided with a concrete mixing unit vehicle coming from the opposite side. Soon after the accident, he opened the doors with the help of hydraulic system and asked the passengers to disembark.

Although the passengers were rescued, he was not able to get out as he was stuck in the seat. He later got engulfed in the fire that broke out from the vehicle of the mixing unit.

Sajeem, the conductor somehow with the help of the locals pushed him out from the seat. Sajeeem remembers that time also Prakash was asking us to escape. By that time, he sustained burns on the left side of his body. Sajeem too sustained burns on the back side of his neck.

Prakash, who sustained 40% burns was immediately rushed to Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital. He suffered a cardiac arrest five days back. He died Wednesday evening.

He leaves behind his wife Sindhu and children Akhila and Akhil.