Alappuzha : A night out turned into an unimaginable tragedy for five medical students from Vandanam Government Medical College, Alappuzha, who lost their lives in a road accident on Monday night. The devastating crash left their families, friends, and the local community grief-stricken.
On Tuesday morning, hundreds of people gathered at the medical college campus to pay their last respects as the students' bodies were brought for public homage following postmortem procedures.
The accident occurred late Monday night when the rented car carrying the students collided with a KSRTC bus, leaving five dead and six others critically injured. CCTV footage showed the car skidding on a rainy road before it was crushed beneath the bus. Three students died on the spot, and local residents had to break open the vehicle to rescue the others.
The deceased have been identified as Mohammed Abdul Jabbar from Kannur, Mohammed Ibrahim from Lakshadweep, Devanandan from Malappuram, Ayush Shaji from Alappuzha, and Srideep from Palakkad.
Parents who had spoken to their children just hours before the mishap, and hostel roommates who shared moments of joy with them minutes before the tragedy, are struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss. Emotional scenes unfolded at the homes of the deceased as relatives and neighbors tried to console the grieving families.
One of Srideep’s teachers, who visited his home, described him as a bright and promising student, adding that he had taught him for four years during his school days. A relative of another victim said the news of the accident had reached the victim’s parents, who were away in Indore, through television reports. They immediately began their journey back home upon learning of the tragedy.
Eyewitnesses recounted the horrifying moments at the accident site, with one rescuer recalling the haunting cries of the victims pleading for help. He described how one of the injured students held his hand and begged for assistance before falling unconscious.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, who visited the college to offer condolences, expressed his deep grief over the incident and extended his prayers for the injured. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described the tragedy as an “utmost painful incident” and pledged solidarity with the grieving families. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan also conveyed his sorrow, emphasizing the magnitude of the loss.
With PTI inputs