PALAKKAD: Four students, all girls, of Government Higher Secondary School, Karimba Panayanpadam at Palakkad were killed on Thursday after a lorry transporting cement ploughed into and toppled over them in front of the school.
The accident happened around 3:45 PM at the Panayampadam bus stop near Kalladikode along the Kozhikode-Palakkad national highway. Witnesses reported that the lorry, laden with cement bags, lost control on the wet road while attempting to overtake another vehicle, causing the rear portion of the trailer to topple over the children.
The victims were all girls from Karimba Higher Secondary School: Irfana, Mitha, Rida, and Ayesha. All four were eighth-grade students returning home after completing their exams.
“They were waiting at the bus stop when the out-of-control lorry sped towards them. One of the students managed to jump out of the way, but the other four could not escape in time, and the lorry overturned on top of them. Three girls died instantly, while one severely injured student is receiving treatment at the hospital,” said a witness, Ashwajith P, Keralassery resident.
The bodies of the three deceased students were taken to ISAF Hospital in Thachampara, while the body of the fourth student is at Mother Care Hospital in Mannarkkad.
R Viswanath, Superintendent of Police, Palakkad who reached the spot said, "People are saying various reasons that led to the accident. We will collect the CCTV footage, then only we will come to a conclusion,” he said.
Soon after the rescue operations were over, the locals protested at the spot. They alleged that even after many people lost their lives in road accidents on the stretch, the authorities have not taken any action. The protest ended after the police, peoples’ representatives including K Krishnankutty, Minister for Electricity and Rahul Mankoottathil, Palakkad MLA, and local body authorities assured prompt action.
MVD authorities at the scene confirmed that the lorry was within the legal weight limit. “This area is known for accidents. Recently, milling works were conducted by NHAI due to a series of accidents here. The Palakkad district collector has called for a meeting tomorrow morning to address the matter and explore ways to reduce accidents in the area. We will implement traffic-calming measures immediately,” the officer stated.
The officer noted that hydroplaning is a concern on this stretch of road, which occurs when a vehicle's tyres lose contact with the road surface and slide on a layer of water. A team from IIT Palakkad had recently conducted a study on this stretch and provided recommendations for improving safety.
Residents reported that at least 20 lives have been lost in this area, with around 40 others suffering serious injuries from various road accidents.
The lorry driver, Mahendra Prasad, and his assistant, Varghese, both from Kasaragod, sustained minor injuries and were admitted to Mother Care Hospital in Mannarkkad.