Pathanamthitta, 16 Dec (H.S.): Four Sabarimala pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh sustained injuries after a tourist bus carrying pilgrims overturned at Vadasserikkara in Pathanamthitta district during the early hours of Tuesday. The accident occurred on the Vadasserikkara–Pampa road, a key stretch used by pilgrims travelling to the hill shrine during the Mandala season.
The injured pilgrims were rushed to the Government Taluk Hospital in Ranni, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Hospital sources said that none of the injured are in a critical condition. However, one of the pilgrims suffered a severe injury in which his leg was amputated after it became trapped beneath the overturned bus.
According to preliminary reports, the injured pilgrim was reportedly thrown out of the vehicle moments before the bus lost control and overturned, with the vehicle falling on his leg. The bus was carrying a total of 49 pilgrims at the time of the accident.
The mishap is said to have occurred around 2 am when the bus was negotiating a curve on the hilly road. The driver is believed to have lost control of the vehicle, causing it to topple on its side. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be officially confirmed, and police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Passengers who escaped without injuries had a narrow escape and were later shifted to a nearby shelter arranged by local authorities. Officials said necessary assistance was provided to ensure the safety and comfort of the uninjured pilgrims, who were visibly shaken by the incident.
This is the fourth bus accident reported on the Vadasserikkara–Pampa road during the ongoing Mandala season, raising fresh concerns over road safety and traffic management along the busy pilgrimage route. With thousands of pilgrims travelling daily to Sabarimala, authorities have once again urged drivers to exercise extreme caution, especially during night travel and on sharp curves along the forest and ghat sections of the road.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
