KOLLAM: Three persons, including two children, were killed in a road accident at Valiyakulangara, Oachira, on Thursday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Prince Thomas of Thevalakkara, and his children Alka, 5, and Atul, 14. Prince’s wife, Vindya, and daughter, Aishwarya, were injured and are undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Oachira. The condition of Aishwarya, a Plus II student, is critical, and she has been put on a ventilator. Vindya sustained a leg injury.
According to police, the accident occurred around 6.30 am when the SUV they were travelling in collided head-on with a KSRTC bus coming from the opposite direction. The family was returning home to Thevalakkara after seeing off Vindya’s nephew at Nedumbassery Airport.
Local residents rushed to the spot, pulled the victims out of the mangled SUV and took them to the Taluk Hospital, where Prince and his two children were declared brought dead.
Prince was driving the vehicle, and police suspect he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.
“The KSRTC bus was heading towards Cherthala, while the Thar was travelling towards Karunagappally. Both vehicles were speeding at the time of the crash. The SUV was completely mangled in the impact. It is suspected that the driver may have dozed off, but the exact cause will be confirmed after investigation,” said a police officer.
Sixteen passengers on the KSRTC bus were injured, including the driver, N Anas, and conductor, Chandralekha. Fourteen are being treated at a private hospital in Oachira and two at the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.
There were 26 passengers on the bus, including employees. Atul was a Class 9 student, while Alka was studying in UKG. Prince runs a finance firm and medical shop at his native place.
The accident caused heavy traffic congestion on the highway, where road work is in progress. Traffic was later restored after vehicles were diverted to one side by the Karunagappally fire and rescue team.
Oachira police have registered a case and launched an investigation. The bodies have been shifted to Paripally Medical College for post-mortem examination. The funeral will be held after the autopsy.