Malappuram, 26 July (H.S.):One person was killed and several others were injured after a private limited-stop bus overturned on a six-lane national highway near Kuttippuram in Kerala's Malappuram district on Sunday. The accident occurred near the Kuttippuram railway overbridge when the bus reportedly lost control, struck the central divider and flipped over.

According to police, the bus overturned onto a car travelling alongside it, causing extensive damage. The impact was so severe that the middle portion of the bus split into two, leaving several passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicle.

The deceased has been identified as a resident of Peruvayal in Kozhikode district. Police said the bus was carrying 26 passengers at the time of the accident. Several people sustained injuries, with at least three reported to be in critical condition. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, while the critically injured continue to receive intensive medical care.

The bus involved in the accident was the private limited-stop service 'Defender', operating on the Kozhikode–Thrissur route. Local residents alleged that the vehicle was travelling at an excessive speed before the driver lost control. However, the exact cause of the accident has not yet been officially established, and police have launched an investigation.

Rescue operations were carried out jointly by the Kerala Police, Fire and Rescue Services, and local residents. Emergency personnel had to cut open sections of the overturned bus to rescue passengers trapped inside the wreckage. The operation continued until all those trapped were safely extricated.

The accident caused major traffic disruption on the busy highway, with authorities diverting vehicles while rescue and recovery work was in progress. Police are investigating all possible causes of the crash, including whether overspeeding or a mechanical failure led to the fatal accident. The damaged bus will also undergo a detailed mechanical inspection as part of the investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman