Minister's car fatally knocks down two

Two pedestrians were killed after being knocked down by the official car of Minister for Rural Development K.C. Joseph at Karayamparambu, Angamaly, late on Sunday.

Sources said the pedestrians were crossing the road when the Minister's car knocked them down. The Angamaly police identified the victims as Sundareshan Menon, 55, of Kandanat, Karayamparambu, and Vijayan of Kurupumpady. The Minister took the seriously injured pedestrians to the hospital, where they were declared dead.

Pedestrian injured

Another pedestrian, Thomas Abraham, 59, of Karayamparambu, suffered injuries.

The car and driver are in police custody.

Harshita Attaluri, Ernakulam Rural SP, said the accident occurred in an ill-lit area at the junction. “Members of the public had for long been demanding the installation of street lights and traffic signal lights here,” she said.

Enraged by the incident, activists of the DYFI laid siege to the road and blocked traffic, demanding action against over-speeding vehicles. They also demanded steps to ensure that the junction had traffic signal lights.

Cancels trip

Addressing mediapersons, Mr. Joseph said he was proceeding to the Cochin International Airport to catch a flight to New Delhi. He cancelled the trip following the accident and promised all help to the kin of the victims.