Tearful adieu to five medical students; Kerala left in grief

ALAPPUZHA: The mortal remains of five students who died in the Kalarcode accident were brought to the college for public viewing on Tuesday at noon. Governor Arif Muhammad Khan, Ministers Saji Cherian, Veena George, P. Prasad and hundreds of others paid their last respects.

Devanandan (20), native of Malappuram Kottakkal; Palakkad Shekharipuram native Sridev Vatsan (20); Kottayam Poonjar native Ayush Shaji (20); Muhammad Ibrahim (20) of Androth Island, Lakshadweep and Kannur Vengara native Muhammad Abdul Jabbar (20) died in the accident.

Devanandan and Ayush's funeral will be held on Wednesday. Ibrahim's body was buried in Kochi due to the difficulty of transporting it to his native land of Lakshadweep. There were 11 students in the car. Five are currently undergoing treatment at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.

According to onlookers, the Tavera car used by the students overtook a vehicle but came in close range of another bus coming in the opposite direction. The brakes were applied but the rain made the road slippery. The car thus skidded into the opposite lane and crashed into a KSRTC bus. Gauri Shankar, who was driving the vehicle, is under severe stress after learning of the death of his classmates. According to Gauri, he sensed an obstacle and diverted the car which slipped out of control.

Alappuzha RTO led by AK Dilu inspected the vehicles and reported to the Transport Commissioner. The students took the car on rent from Kakkayam native Shamil Kahl. According to the report of RTO, the cause of the accident was a lack of light on the road and heavy rain. A case may also be filed against the student who drove the car.