Four persons including two teenagers were killed and 18 others, were seriously injured when the van carrying them fell into a gorge 300 ft deep at Vellikulam near Wagamon on Kottaym-Idukki border.
The team of 22 persons, members of the ‘shingarimelam’ percussion group , PKR Troupe , from Kayippuram near Muhamm (Alappuzha district) were returning after participating in the Sivarathri celebrations at the Siva Temple at Pasuppara near Wagamon when the mishap occurred.
The van which apparently lost its break had gone out of control and fell into the gorge, overturning server times on its way down. The passengers were thrown out and when the van stopped nearly 300 ft it had come apart .
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According to Kottayam Medical College authorities, those who have lost their lives have been identified as Binu (20 years) son of Baby, Vadakkumthalackal House, Muhamma, Appu (17) son of Sally, Thaivappil House, Muhamma, Manikuttan son (45) son of Chennampally House, Vaaranam, Cherthala, Sudhiraj (16) Kizhakkevelil House, Muhamma.
The accident occurred by 8:15 am and rescue operations started imeidately by local people who were joined by Police and Fire Force from Erattupetta. The victims were taken to Ertattupetta government hospital, and the three private hospitals. The serious cases were referred to Kottayam Medical College Hospital. One of the victims was brought dead to Kottayam Medical college Hospitals while others succumbed to injuries on the way to the private hospitals. Postmortem of all the four have been completed at the Medical college hospitals.
Presently there are 12 persons at the Medical College Hospital out of which two have serious injuries. Sudheesh (23) had neck injuries while Ratheesh (15) has severe head injuries, hospital authorities said. Others have been admitted private hospitals at Pala.
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According to a passenger in the ill-fated van, Sandeep, the team had stopped at Ottayeetti a few meters away from the accident spot as one of the members complained of vomiting. The driver Sanu (33) now admitted to Medical College Hospital with jaw bone fracture, had warned them then that the vehicle had problems with the break. They decided to travel, but soon the driver cried out saying that he had lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle over turned many times and the passengers were thrown out of it, he said.
Meanwhile the Alappuzha district authorities have declared a financial assistance of Rs.5000 to the family of those who had lost their lives and Rs.2000 to those who are injured.