‘Valparai accident caused by driver's lack of experience’; vehicle was not defective, says RTO

VALPARAI: Pollachi RTO Senchazhiyan said the driver's lack of experience was the reason for the road accident in Valparai that claimed the lives of nine people. The excessive use of brakes by the driver is also one of the reasons for the accident. The RTO clarified that there was no bad weather or poor visibility, and that there was no damage to the vehicle.

The van carrying a group from Pang Parammal GLP School in Malappuram lost control and fell 800 feet on the Valparai-Pollachi Churam road. The dead includes seven women, a child and a man. The accident happened on Friday at 5.20 pm. While returning on a way with 40 hairpin bends, the van lost control at the 13th bend, hit the guardrail and overturned on the ninth hairpin bend.

The dead were identified as Panga Parammal, GLP School, Headmistress Pulamanthole, Paloor, native Ajitha (55) and Panga natives Ramla (52), her son Hisham (12), Suhra (43), Majeed (43), his wife Ruqiya (39), Shakina (37), Asha (41), a native of Kolathur, and cook Sajida (45).

They had gone for a pleasure trip from school on Friday morning. The group of 13, including the driver, set off in a traveler with the registration number KL 11 AM 7288, owned by Abdul Salam of Perinthalmanna. There were two children in this group. After reaching Chalakudy, they went to Valparai via Malakapparai via Athirappilly. The accident happened while returning from Valparai.