The New Indian Express ·
Thrissur crash puts NHAI in a spot over safety lapses
THRISSUR : The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is facing questions over alleged safety lapses following the death of eight students from Tamil Nadu after their car rammed into a parked goods truck on the under-construction national highway at Kaypamangalam. The absence of warning signs indicating the dangers in the construction zone, inadequate safety arrangements and the parking of the truck on the highway have emerged as major factors that contributed to the tragedy.
The accident occurred around 11.45 pm on Friday near Panambikkunnu Centre at Kaipamangalam. The car, reportedly travelling at high speed, crashed into the rear of a goods truck parked on the national highway. All eight students of PSNA College in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu died on the spot.
The response of ambulance driver Shahul, who was among the first to reach the accident site, along with accounts from local residents, have raised questions over the adequacy of safety arrangements on the highway. Residents alleged that there were no warning boards at the site before the accident and that a board was installed only after the crash. They also alleged that adequate warning and directional signage had not been provided for motorists travelling through the construction zone at night.
