Three people sustained serious injuries after the driver of a bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims lost control of the vehicle, which then hit other vehicles at Thulappally, near Ranni in Pathanamthitta, on Monday.
The accident occurred around 7.45 a.m. at the Thulappally-Alappattu junction. The bus carrying pilgrims from Tamil Nadu was on the Thulappally slope when the driver lost control of it. The bus first hit two cars before colliding with a tourist bus. The three injured were travelling in one of the cars. All the vehicles involved in the accident were carrying Sabarimala pilgrims.
The seriously injured were shifted to a hospital at Erumely. Those who sustained minor injuries were taken to hospitals at Nilackal.
Residents allege rule violations
Meanwhile, local residents alleged that the accident occurred as pilgrim vehicles were being allowed to ply along the Thulappally-Sabarimala old road in violation of restrictions. They pointed out that there was a court order directing that pilgrim vehicles should be diverted through the new road and not through the old route. The residents demanded stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent further accidents during the pilgrimage season.
