KOTTAYAM: A major tragedy was averted when a KSRTC driver on duty died after he suffered a heart attack. He has been identified as Saju Mathew (40) of Thidanadu in Pala and a driver of Erattupetta depot. The incident happened Sunday morning at Kodimatha in the district.

Saju, a driver of Erattupetta-Thennadu-Thiruvananthapuram KSRTC bus, felt uneasiness after leaving Kottayam bus sand. He stopped the bus safely on the roadside, but collapsed on top of the steering wheel, witnesses said.

Though a nurse, who was in the bus and other passengers gave him first aid, his life could not be saved.

T K Lal, a driver of Chengannur depot who was in the bus later took control of it and took him straight to the district hospital, but died on way to the hospital.