Driver was drunk in Varkala accident, flees from spot

VARKALA: More details have emerged in connection with the death of a woman and her daughter after a recovery van rammed into a crowd returning from the temple festival. The locals said Tony, who drove the vehicle, was drunk and that he ran away from the spot after the accident.

Eyewitness Sajina said the vehicle was speeding. The vehicle rammed into the crowd of locals. Sajina told a media that the recovery van struck the woman and her daughter after hitting a scooter and a car. She also said the police arrived at the spot very late.

The accident occurred around 10 pm last night. Rohini (55) and her daughter Akhila (21) of Pulayan Vilakam house, died in the accident. Two people identified as Ranjith and Usha sustained injuries. They are being treated at various hospitals.

The accident occurred when people were returning home after the festival at the Bhagavathy temple in Perete. The recovery vehicle, which was speeding from Varkala to Kavalayoor, crashed into two other vehicles and then rammed into the crowd. Rohini and Akhila, who were seriously injured in the accident, were immediately taken to Varkala Sree Narayana Mission Hospital, but they had already died by then.