8 engineering students from Tamil Nadu die in Kerala highway crash

Eight engineering students from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, lost their lives in a car accident when their vehicle collided with a lorry parked along National Highway 66 in Kerala. 

The incident occurred around 11:40 pm near Panambikkunnu, Thrissur district, on Friday night, as they were travelling from Guruvayur to Kodungallur.

According to police, the rented car travelling at high speed struck the rear of a lorry that was allegedly parked illegally on the right side of the highway, where traffic was diverted due to construction work.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the driver missed the diversion barricade, leading to the catastrophic impact. 

Six students died at the crash site, and two others later succumbed to their injuries at a nearby hospital. All eight were students at a prominent engineering college. 

The victims were identified as Surya, Yuvasanjith, Joshua, Murali, and Jeeva from Dindigul; Santhosh and Prasanna from Madurai; and Vishva from Salem.

Local authorities launched rescue operations, with residents, firefighters, and police working together to extricate the students from the mangled vehicle. 

The car was severely crushed, requiring rescue teams to use cutting tools to reach some trapped victims.

After recovery, the bodies were sent for autopsy. Police used the students' identity cards found at the scene to notify their families who were caught unawares. 

Santhosh had recently purchased a car, but due to incomplete registration, the group rented a vehicle for their trip to Kochi.

Hospital officials arranged for ambulances to transport the bodies back to their hometowns.

District Police Chief Mohammad Nadeemuddin stated that initial investigations indicate negligence on the part of the lorry driver, who reportedly fled the scene immediately after the crash. The police have charged him with culpable homicide. 

Nadeemuddin emphasised the importance of accountability, saying, "It is definitely a mistake on the part of the lorry driver. We have already registered a case against him."

He noted that the investigation would also examine the responsibilities of the highway authorities and the contractor, promising strict action if negligence is found.

The officer noted that lorry drivers parking in restricted areas remains a persistent issue, despite the presence of a highway patrol unit. 

He stressed, "Parking should not be done here," and mentioned that the investigation would evaluate the adequacy of warning signs installed by highway contractors. 

"We promise a thorough investigation, with immediate and strict measures taken against those responsible. The police will implement necessary preventive strategies to avert such tragic incidents in the future." 

The crash left the car a twisted wreck. Rescue operations faced challenges, with victims' remains scattered at the site, emphasising the event's tragic impact.