Newlyweds Among Four Killed After Their Car Collides With Minibus Carrying Sabarimala Pilgrims In Kerala

The police and fire department used a hydraulic cutter to free the four occupants trapped inside the car, the 3 men died on the spot while the woman died in the hospital.

The bus was likely carrying pilgrims from Hyderabad and the collision probably occurred when the car’s driver fell asleep at the wheel.

Source : ABP Live

Four people, including a newlywed couple were killed, after their car collided with a minibus, at Murinjikkal in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district on Sunday. The accident occurred around 5 am on the Punalur-Muvattupuzha state highway, the minibus was carrying Sabarimala pilgrims.

According to an IANS report, the bus was likely carrying pilgrims from Hyderabad and the collision probably occurred when the car’s driver fell asleep at the wheel.

The deceased were identified as Mathayi Eappen, Anu, Nikhil, and Biju George, all natives of Mallassery in Konni. Nikhil and Anu, who had tied the knot on November 30, were returning home from Thiruvananthapuram airport after their honeymoon in Malaysia. Biju George was Anu’s father, while Mathayi Eappen was Nikhil’s father.

Nikhil who was working in Canada, was planning to settle there with Anu, who was preparing to join him.

All three men in the car died on the spot, while Anu succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Pathanamthitta. While a few passengers of the bus, including the driver, sustained minor injuries in the crash.

The locals were the first to arrive at the scene and attempted to assist the victims. The police and fire department later arrived and used a hydraulic cutter to free the four occupants trapped inside the car.

Several residents have expressed concerns over the rising number of accidents on this stretch of the Punalur-Muvattupuzha highway following its recent reconstruction. Kurien Joseph, a local Congress leader, expressed his condolences. As per IANS, Joseph said, “The marriage of Anu and Nikhil was solemnised on November 30 after an eight-year-long love affair. This tragedy struck just seven kilometres from their home.”

The two families were in a state of shock when they found out about the accident resulting in their deaths. The accident took place just 10 kilometres from the victims' residence.