Wayanad, 18 May (H.S.): Three members of a family, including a teenage boy, were killed in a tragic road accident after a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Minnal bus rammed into an autorickshaw at Old Vythiri in Wayanad on Monday morning.

The accident occurred around 7 a.m. when the Mananthavady-bound KSRTC bus, travelling from Thiruvananthapuram, collided with the autorickshaw that was heading towards Kozhikode. The impact of the crash was severe, leaving the vehicle badly damaged and causing fatal injuries to the occupants.

The deceased were identified as Muchiyil Narayanan, 44, his wife Shiji, 40, and their son Amal, 15. Narayanan, an autorickshaw driver from Nambikolly near Sulthan Bathery, died on the spot. His wife and son, who suffered serious injuries, were rushed to a private medical college hospital in Meppadi, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

The family had reportedly left home in the early hours of the day and was travelling to the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode for Amal’s treatment. The accident abruptly ended what had begun as a journey seeking medical care.

Neighbours and local residents described Narayanan as a hardworking and pleasant person who had struggled to support his family and provide for his children.

Vythiri Police reached the accident site soon after receiving information and carried out an inquest. The bodies were shifted to Taluk Hospital, Kalpetta, for postmortem examination and are expected to be handed over to relatives following the completion of legal procedures.

The family is survived by Athul, the elder son, who has been left to cope with the devastating loss of his parents and younger brother in a single incident.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman