The lorry reportedly veered off the road, broke through the median, and ran over a group of vagrants sleeping by the roadside.
Published Nov 26, 2024 | 8:42 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 26, 2024 | 1:35 PM
The lorry that was involved in the accident and the site where it happened.
In a tragic accident early morning on Tuesday, 26 November, five people, including two children, were killed and six others injured when a timber-laden lorry ran off the road in Thrissur district of Kerala.
The incident occurred around 4.00 am near JK Cinemas on the National Highway at Nattika in Thriprayar.
The lorry, en route from Kannur to Kochi, reportedly veered off the road, broke through the median, and ran over a group of vagrants sleeping by the roadside.
Upon the instructions of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Local Self Governments Minister MB Rajesh rushed to Thrissur to coordinate further actions.
The deceased have been identified as Kaliyappan (50), Jeevan (4), Nagamma (39), Vishwa (1) and Bangazhi (20), all hailing from Govindapuram near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver fell asleep at the wheel, leading to the crash. Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar said the accident was a case of drunken driving
He added that it was the cleaner who recklessly drove the vehicle and that he didn’t have a driver’s license
The minister added that both the cleaner and the driver were under the influence of alcohol
According to the available information, the condition of the three injured is critical. It is said that the driver missed a diversion board and ran over the people who were sleeping on the highway.
Police officials, including Kodungallur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) VK Raju and Valapad Station House Officer (SHO) MK Ramesh arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. The injured were rushed to Thrissur Medical College for treatment.
Two individuals, Alex (33) and Jose (54), both residents of Kannur, have been taken into custody for questioning. The Valapad police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident.
Ganesh Kumar said that the cleaner drove the lorry to that part of the road which was cordoned off. He said the vehicle registration would be revoked
and the driver’s licence would be suspended
The cleaner, who drove the vehicle at the time of the accident, will face charges of culpable homicide
Ganesh Kumar added that the state transport commissioner had chalked out an enforcement drive to check drunken driving and line traffic violations among truck drivers adding that the unfortunate incident happened just before its launch.
The minister said that Valapad Police had asked the victims not to sleep by the roadside two days ago. He directed the police to ensure that people were not sleeping by the roadside.
He added that compensation or financial assistance to the bereaved families would be decided by the Cabinet
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil)
