PATHANAMTHITTA: Four of a family including a newly married couple, were killed in an accident at Koodal Murinjakal in Konni. The accident occurred when a bus carrying Ayyappa devotees collided with a car. Those killed in the accident are Mathai Eapen, Anu, Nikhil and Biju P George, all of Mallasseri in the district. The accident happened Sunday morning at around 4 am on the Punalur-Muvattupuzha state highway.
The newly wedded couple are Anu and Nikhil. They got married on November 30. The two had just returned from their honeymoon in Malaysia. Biju and Mathai Eapen had gone to pick up the two from the Thiruvananthapuram airport. Nikhil was getting ready to return to his workplace in Canada after marriage.
Biju is Anu's father and Mathai Eapen is Nikhil's father. Except Anu, the other three died on the spot. Although the locals immediately rushed Anu to Konni Taluk Hospital, her life could not be saved.
The bus was carrying Ayyappa devotees from Andhra Pradesh. Police said the car rammed into the bus. The Maruti Swift car has been completely damaged in the accident. The bodies were taken out of the car after cutting the vehicle. The locals initially led the rescue operations. The police and the fire force arrived later.
It is believed that the driver may have fallen asleep at the time of the accident. There is also a suspicion that the car was speeding. Pathanamthitta SP reached the spot and inspected it. The locals said that this is a constant danger zone.