VARKALA: A horrific accident took place near the Palachira junction in Varkala on Saturday when a school teacher was run over by a speeding car while he was standing beside his car. The deceased has been identified as Shyamkumar (49), a native of Melvettoor.

According to sources, Shyamkumar had parked his car on the roadside and was talking over the phone when the car hit him. Though he was immediately rushed to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries by around 10.30 pm.

Meanwhile, the car that ran over Shyamkumar also went on to hit a bike. Following this, the Varkala police conducted an investigation and the driver was subsequently taken into custody.

Shyamkumar was a Hindi teacher at Njekkad Vocational Higher Secondary School and an active member of the KSTA. He is survived by wife Jelsa, children Anashwara and Amruth.