Monday, 23 December 2024
Monday, 23 December 2024
Auto Rickshaw driver Shahul Hameed had the most traumatic ride on his three-wheeler to Malappuram's Thoovaltheeram beach, on Sunday. Just as Hameed reached the beach, three children were fished out of the water and piled in his autorickshaw to be rushed to the nearest hospital with a hope to save them. In all the commotion, it took a few minutes before he realised the children that lay motionless in the passenger seat behind were his sister's.
Pictures: PTI
Local residents said the boat was packed beyond its capacity of 20 persons and that its operators did not heed warning of onlookers that the vessel was tilting to one side. It was a tragedy which was invited. It could have been avoided if the boat was not overcrowded or if it had not been operated beyond the permissible time. When the boat reached a bend in the river, it overturned as it was already tilting to one side, local residents said.
The CM said the government had earlier set up a safety protocol for tourist boats and will examine whether they were followed or not in connection with the incident. The state government has announced a day of mourning on Monday and cancelled all official events as a mark of respect to those who lost their lives in the accident.
