Sleepy driver mows down 9 students in Kerala

Nine students of a primary school were killed and 15 critically injured when a drowsy driver ploughed his mini-van...

Nine students of a primary school were killed and 15 critically injured when a drowsy driver ploughed his mini-van through students who were returning after the day8217;s classes in north Kerala8217;s Kannur district on Thursday evening. Of the victims, eight were girls. A couple has lost all their three children in the accident.

According to eyewitnesses, the students of Sri Narayana L P School in Padayamkodu near Erikkur, were walking along the road when the van hit them. They said the speeding vehicle veered to the wrong side before running over the students, who were moving in a queue. The vehicle dragged the children for more than 150 metres, before it halted. Three of them died on the spot.

As the accident occurred in an uninhabited region, the delay in rushing medical aid also contributed to the toll. Van driver Abdul Kabeer, a native of Malappuram, was taken into police custody.

Though the police have not revealed the exact cause of accident, preliminary reports said the driver seemed to have dozed off while driving. The locals alleged that the driver was in an inebriated condition, but the police have prima facie ruled out the possibility.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More