'Last message on Monday'; Palakkad bemoans death of Riya in Kenya bus accident

PALAKKAD: Gloom struck the small town of Mannur in Palakkad after news reached about the tragic death of Riya Ann (41) and her daughter Tyra Rodriguez (8) in a bus accident in Kenya. The relatives were unable to fathom the tragic news and many turned inconsolable. More people are reaching the residence in Puthepura after learning about Riya’s tragic death.

Riya’s husband Joel and her elder son Raviz (14) are currently undergoing treatment after suffering serious injuries in the accident.

The tragic accident took place while the family were about to return to Qatar today after their Kenyan vacation. The accident took place on Monday at 6 pm evening. Just three hours before the accident, Riya had messaged her family back in Kerala about travelling to the tourism centre in the African country. What reached the family next was news of a terrible bus accident.

The family have already started work to bring the mortal remains to Kerala.

The accident occurred on Monday at around 4 PM local time in Kenya’s Nyandarua County. The tourist bus lost control and veered off the road, plunging into a gorge approximately 100 metres deep.

Twenty-seven others sustained injuries in the accident and were rushed to Nyandarua County Referral Hospital. Several of the injured are reported to be in critical condition. Local police have launched an investigation into the incident.