Jobaaj Stories
Alappuzha, Kerala: A tragic accident in Alappuzha claimed the lives of five young medical students on Monday night when the car they were traveling in collided head-on with a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus. The victims were first-year MBBS students from Government Medical College, Alappuzha. The incident occurred at Kalarcode, along the busy National Highway, around 9:30 p.m.
The deceased have been identified as Devanandan and Ibrahim from Lakshadweep, Ayush Shaji, Sreedeep, and Muhammed Jabbar, all of whom were pursuing their medical studies in Alappuzha. According to Additional District Magistrate Asha C. Abraham, the students were returning after attending a college event when the tragic accident occurred.
The car, traveling towards Alappuzha, collided with the bus that was en route from Guruvayur to Kayamkulam. Eyewitnesses stated that the impact of the crash was so severe that the car was badly mangled, with the victims trapped inside. Rescue operations were immediately launched, and fire and rescue personnel had to cut the vehicle open to extricate the bodies.
Three other passengers in the car sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. The passengers in the bus, although shaken by the incident, suffered only minor injuries. The bus driver and conductor, who were also taken to the hospital for medical evaluation, are said to be in stable condition.
Initial investigations by the police suggest that poor weather conditions contributed to the accident. Heavy rain, coupled with low visibility, may have impaired the driver's ability to react in time. The police have also indicated that the driver of the car might have lost control due to the slippery road conditions.
"The collision was head-on, and the force of the impact was devastating," said a police official. "The car was severely damaged, and the victims had to be extricated after we cut open the vehicle. The conditions at the time of the accident were challenging due to rain and low visibility."
The crash led to a traffic snarl on the National Highway, with vehicles lined up for several hours as authorities cleared the wreckage. The highway, a major route connecting towns in the region, was temporarily closed to facilitate the rescue operations and accident investigation.
As news of the tragedy spread, messages of condolence poured in from across the state, with many expressing their sorrow over the untimely loss of these promising young lives. Kerala's health minister, Veena George, expressed her condolences to the families of the deceased and assured support to those injured.
"This is a heart-wrenching tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families of the victims. We will ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment," she said in a statement.
The incident has once again raised concerns over road safety, especially during the monsoon season, when heavy rains and poor visibility contribute to a significant number of accidents. Local authorities have urged drivers to exercise caution and follow traffic safety measures more diligently to prevent such tragedies in the future.
The police have launched a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident, and further updates are awaited.
