A tragic late-night road accident in Kochi claimed the life of a 64-year-old man and left his son-in-law seriously injured. The incident, involving a car reportedly operating for an online cab aggregator, has once again raised concerns about road safety and driver distraction.
Details of the Fatal Collision
The accident occurred near Metro Pillar No 361 at Pathadippalam around 11.45 pm on Friday. The deceased, identified as Saju, a native of Kalamassery, was riding a two-wheeler. He was rear-ended by the car, leading to the fatal impact. His son-in-law, Ashish Nirmal, who was riding pillion, was thrown from the bike and sustained grievous injuries.
According to police, the force of the collision was severe. "The two men were tossed off the bike on the impact," an officer stated. Sources added that the car then dragged the motorcycle along the road for a distance before the bike crashed into a parked vehicle.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The Kalamassery police swiftly responded and arrested the car driver. The accused has been identified as Anas, a 27-year-old native of Pattambi. Initial investigations point towards driver inattention as a probable cause.
Police suspect that the driver may have lost concentration, possibly while reaching for an object inside the car or while checking his mobile phone. This momentary lapse allegedly led to the catastrophic rear-ending of the two-wheeler.
Injuries and a Separate Incident
The injured pillion rider, Ashish Nirmal, was rushed to a private hospital. Police confirmed that Nirmal sustained fractures to his shoulder, ribs, and facial bones and is undergoing treatment.
In a related development highlighting road safety issues in the area, the Kalamassery police on the same day registered a separate FIR. This case pertains to an incident on December 14, where a 47-year-old woman, Sajitha Haneefa of Chokli, Kannur, sustained injuries to her right ankle after being hit by a car while crossing at a zebra crossing near Kalamassery Bismi Hypermarket on NH 544. The FIR was filed based on a complaint by the victim's daughter.
The back-to-back incidents have sparked conversations about the need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, particularly concerning driver distraction and pedestrian safety on Kochi's roads.
