KOTTAYAM: A mini-bus in which a group of Sabarimala pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were travelling overturned and fell into a gorge near Erumely on Saturday. There were 25 pilgrims in the bus. 11 persons were injured in the accident.
The accident occurred around 7 am on Saturday at the Kannimala-Madathumpadi turning on the way to Sabarimala Road. The injured were taken to the Kanjirapally General Hospital, Erumeli Primary Health Centre and Kottayam Medical College. The condition of the driver of the vehicle, Saravanan, 45, remains critical. He was admitted to MCH, Kottayam, following severe head injuries.
The injured have been identified as Kaliyappan, 43, Samroj, 59, Raju, 45, Balaji, 25, Sankthi, 28, Govindaraj, 23, Vijayakumar, 23, Gandhi, 39, Ponnuswami, 63, Saroj, 58, and Perumal, 60.
The bus was coming from Thirupathoor in Velloor. The vehicle lost control at the turning and overturned after hitting the protection wall on the side. Policemen, led by Manimala CI Abdul Raheem, and locals rushed to the spot and conducted the rescue operation. The area has witnessed several similar accidents and is known to be a death trap for motorists.