Youth dies after van rams into pilgrims

THURAVOOR: A youth was killed after a parcel van rammed into a group of 18 pilgrims who were on a pilgrimage to the Malayattur church on foot. 3 people were injured. The deceased is Shaun Joseph (22), son of Punnapra native Joseph John. Shaun's paternal uncle Sebastian (Johnny, 57), Paravur native Kunjumon (50) and Paravur native Jinu Salas (22) were injured. They have been admitted to Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.

The accident took place at 3 am yesterday on the south side of Vayalar junction on the national highway. A parcel van going from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam rammed into the group of pilgrims going from Punnapra Paravur to Malayattur. The van stopped after hitting four people who were in the back row of the group. Although Shaun, who sustained serious injuries, was rushed to a private hospital in Ernakulam, he died yesterday afternoon. The Pattanakkad police took the van and the driver into custody. The driver told the police that he was not able to see the pedestrians on the road due to a lack of light. The deceased Shaun was an employee of a private firm. Mother: Shiny. Sister: Shia.