Thrissur, 07 August (H.S.):Kunnamkulam police have arrested the driver of a private bus that ploughed into multiple vehicles near Cheruvathur Ground on Thursday, killing two people and injuring 12 others.

The arrested driver has been identified as Abdul Salam, who escaped unhurt in the accident. Police said speeding and a botched overtaking attempt are suspected to have led to the crash.

The accident occurred around 2.30 pm on the Kunnamkulam–Perumbilavu road. The bus, operating on the Thrissur–Kozhikode route, was travelling from North Perumbilavu towards Kunnamkulam when the driver allegedly attempted to overtake a car at high speed.

Police said the bus first struck the car during the overtaking manoeuvre, following which the driver lost control. The vehicle then rammed into another car, a motorcycle, an autorickshaw and a van before coming to a halt.

The deceased were identified as Riya Fathima (19), a native of Porkulam who was travelling in the van, and Thangamani (64) of Ayyamparambu, who was on the motorcycle.

Joby George, who was travelling on the motorcycle with Thangamani, suffered serious head and lung injuries and remains under critical care.

Six others travelling in the van with Riya — Naseema, Sajeera, Mansoora, Naseera, Fathimath Shabeeba and Naheja — were also injured. Naseema sustained critical injuries, while the others suffered relatively minor injuries, police said.

Jinshad and Khadeeja, who were travelling in one of the cars, were among those injured. Four bus passengers — Suresh, Asa, Hamdiya and Ameena — also sustained injuries.

Kunnamkulam police have registered a case against the driver under Sections 281, 125(a), 125(b) and 106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, covering rash and negligent driving, acts endangering human life and causing death by negligence.

Further investigation into the accident is underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman