Locals blame PWD's negligence for accident killing four in Mankulam, Saranya unaware of deaths of husband and son

MUNNAR: The motor vehicle and the public works departments will conduct an inspection today at the place where four lost their lives after a traveller carrying natives of Tamil Nadu overturned in Mankulam. All efforts are being taken to pull out the traveler which fell on the gorge. The locals alleged that the unscientific construction of the road was the cause of the accident. An accident had happened at the place earlier also. The cause of the accident was negligence on the part of PWD. The locals said the accident could have been avoided if a protective wall had been built.

The accident happened at Pemaram on Mankulam Anakulam Road at around 4.30 pm yesterday. People working together in a pressure cooker company in Tirunelveli were on a pleasure trip. All victims are natives of Tamil Nadu. The dead are Gunasekharan Govinda Aras (60), Abinesh Murthy (30), son Tanvik (one-and-a-half-year-old) and P K Sethu (34). 13 sustained injuries. Meantime, one who was seriously injured is out of danger now.

The traveler fell into 100 feet depth. Rescue operations were conducted by their colleagues who were behind the vehicle and the locals.

Meanwhile, Saranya, a native of Theni, is in the hospital unaware of the deaths of her husband and one-and-a-half-year-old son. Her son Tanvik was first taken to Adimali Taluk Hospital. Later, Sharanya and her husband Abinesh were taken to other hospitals in different vehicles. Relatives have not yet informed Saranya about the deaths. She is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Adimali.