A major accident involving a multi-axle truck and a private bus left 39 passengers injured at Ettekkar, near Aluva, on Monday. Many sustained severe injuries, and a woman has been placed on ventilator support at a nearby private hospital.
Details of the Collision
The bus, traveling from Aluva to Kolenchery, collided head-on with the truck around 2:45 PM. The front portion of the bus was completely damaged in the impact. According to the station house officer of Edathala police station, the bus was descending a slope when the truck approached from the opposite direction. The road in the area is narrow and features an S-curve, with a transformer on the roadside.
The officer stated that 39 persons, including the bus driver, suffered injuries. The injured have been admitted to Rajagiri Hospital, Ernakulam Medical College, Carmel Hospital, and Good Samaritan Hospital.
Condition of the Injured
At Rajagiri Hospital, where 32 people are admitted, four are in serious condition. A 28-year-old woman, Aiswariya Mani from Kodenchery in Kozhikode, suffered serious injuries to her head, face, and right leg and has been placed on ventilator support. Jesma, 24, from Pazhanganad sustained major injuries to her backbone and right leg and underwent urgent surgery. Eliamma, 86, of Ramamangalam, with injuries to her chest and ribs, is being treated in the surgical ICU. The bus driver, Prasad, 39, from Pallikkara, has injuries to his head and hand.
Rescue Operations
Local residents initiated rescue operations immediately after the accident. The truck was reportedly negotiating another vehicle parked on the roadside. Residents shifted the injured passengers to various hospitals promptly. The Edathala panchayat's ambulance was pressed into service, and owners of private vehicles passing through also helped transport the injured.
Edathala panchayat member K K Rafeeq noted that the area is prone to accidents due to the curve and narrow road, with frequent accidents two to three years ago. A bus worker mentioned that a yellow pick-up autorickshaw was parked on the narrow, curved roadside at the time of the accident.
