Palakad: The bus driver, who eloped after an accident on the national highway in Palakkad Vadakkanchery, has been arrested by the police. While he was escaping to Thiruvananthapuram, Chavara police chased him and arrested him. He was chased by the Vadakancherry police. Two more people who helped him to escape were taken into police custody. The natives of Ernakulam and Kottayam were arrested. He was caught while going to see a lawyer.
The accident occurred when the tourist bus hit the rear of the KSRTC bus. About forty-two injured people were admitted to different hospitals. Nine people including teachers and students died. A tourist bus hit the back of a KSRTC super-fast bus going from Kottarakkara to Coimbatore. At the same time, ministers and senior leaders paid tribute to the dead children.
The injured are in Thrissur Medical College, Alathur Hospital and Palakkad District Hospital. At present 16 people are under treatment in Alathur Taluk Hospital. 38 children sought treatment at Thrissur Medical College Hospital.
The tourist bus was a group from Baselios Vidyanikethan School, Ernakulam, who had gone on an excursion to Ooty. There were 37 students, five teachers and two bus staff in the bus. Eyewitnesses say that the tourist bus was speeding.
