A heartbreaking incident in Kannur, Kerala, left a Class 5 student dead and 18 others injured after a school bus overturned near Valakkai on Wednesday. The bus, belonging to Chinmaya School in Kurumathur, lost control on a slope near Valakkai Bridge, leading to the tragic accident.
The victim, identified as 10-year-old Nedhya S. Rajesh, was thrown from the bus during the crash and crushed under its wheels. Reports suggest the driver lost control while giving way to another vehicle. Although some sources cited brake failure as a possible cause, the police confirmed an investigation is underway.
A viral CCTV video captured the moment the bus suddenly veered off course and flipped onto the opposite road. Locals immediately rushed to rescue the students, transporting the injured to Taliparamba Taluk Hospital for treatment. Nedhya’s body was sent to the Government Medical College in Pariyaram for further procedures.
Authorities reported that one of the injured students remains in critical condition. Police have registered a case against the driver under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including charges of negligence and rash driving.
Residents have also raised concerns about the “unscientific design” of the road, blaming it for repeated accidents in the area. Despite the rapid response from locals, the tragedy has sparked widespread grief and calls for stricter road safety measures in the region.
No official statement has been released by the school management at this time.
