A somber cloud descended on a group of Sabarimala pilgrims returning from their spiritual journey as a devastating road accident in Kerala's Ernakulam district claimed one life and left three others injured on Wednesday morning. The fatal collision has cast a shadow over what should have been a blessed homecoming.
The Fatal Collision on MC Road
The tragic incident unfolded around 5:20 am on Wednesday on the busy Muvattupuzha–Perumbavoor MC Road. According to police reports, a car carrying the pilgrims collided head-on with a large container lorry near a petrol pump at Thrikkalathoor. The force of the impact was so severe that the container lorry was left stranded across the carriageway, causing significant disruption to traffic flow in the area.
Victims Identified, Community Rushes to Aid
The deceased pilgrim has been identified as Cheerela Ashok Kumar, aged 51, from Telangana. The three injured individuals, who were traveling with him after completing their darshan at the famed Sabarimala temple, are:
- Mokedu Rajasekhar (41)
- Cheerela Dheeraj (18)
- Pradeep Kumar (31)
All three injured men are also from the Rangareddy district of Telangana. In a heartening display of humanity, local residents were the first to reach the accident site, initiating rescue operations before teams from the Pattimattom fire and rescue station and the police could arrive and take charge.
Probable Cause and Aftermath
Preliminary investigations by the police point towards driver fatigue as the likely cause. Initial findings suggest the driver of the car carrying the pilgrims may have dozed off at the wheel, leading to the catastrophic collision with the oncoming heavy vehicle.
The injured pilgrims were promptly transported to private hospitals in the vicinity for medical treatment. Authorities have reported that all three are currently in a stable condition, receiving the necessary care. The accident scene, however, led to considerable traffic congestion on the key road, with officials working to clear the wreckage and restore normal movement.
This unfortunate event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of long-distance travel, especially for devotees returning from pilgrimages, often exhausted from their journey and rituals. It underscores the critical importance of adequate rest and caution while driving on highways.
