Tamil Nadu: On Wednesday morning, a devastating accident occurred along the National Highway near Aryankavu when a bus transporting Sabarimala pilgrims collided with a lorry. The impact was so severe that the bus plunged approximately 30 meters into a gorge, resulting in one fatality and critical injuries to two passengers. The deceased has been identified as Dhanapalan, a resident of Salem, Tamil Nadu, who was among the 24 passengers on board.Injuries and Rescue EffortsIn total, eighteen passengers sustained injuries in this tragic incident. Sixteen of these injured individuals were promptly admitted to Punalur Taluk Hospital for treatment. Among them, two passengers, Senthil, aged 13, and Dileep Kumar, aged 44, were reported to be in critical condition and have since been transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital for intensive care.Details of the AccidentThe collision occurred at approximately 4:15 AM when the lorry, traveling from Kottavasal to Thenmala, crashed into the bus that was returning to Tamil Nadu after a pilgrimage to Sabarimala. The force of the impact caused the private bus to veer off the road and tumble into a dry riverbed below.Community Response and ConcernsLocal residents and police sprang into action quickly, initiating rescue operations to transport the injured to medical facilities. Unfortunately, Dhanapalan was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. His body has been moved to the mortuary at Punalur Taluk Hospital.Suja Thomas, President of the Aryankavu Panchayat, expressed her concerns regarding the accident-prone nature of the area: This is an accident-prone area. We had previously urged authorities to station an ambulance here due to the frequency of such incidents. Her statement highlights ongoing safety concerns in this region known for frequent accidents.This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced on the roads, particularly in areas where accidents have become all too common.
