A Kochi crash near Nedumbassery airport killed three people, including two women, after a speeding car rammed into the two-wheeler they were travelling on at around 2 am on Sunday, police said. The victims were identified as Gopika from Palakkad, Devika from Wayanad and Ijaz, a native of Karnataka.
According to police, the three were returning home after having tea at a nearby shop when the car hit their two-wheeler on a wide road close to the airport. Local residents took all three to hospital, but they died from their injuries, an officer told reporters.
The car was also badly damaged in the collision. Television visuals cited in the report showed the vehicle approaching at very high speed before striking the two-wheeler, which was travelling on the extreme left side of the road. Debris from the destroyed two-wheeler was scattered across the accident site.
Police have taken the driver, identified as Suhail, into custody after a medical examination. The officer said a case had been registered for attempted culpable homicide and that strict action would be taken. Police are also examining whether the driver was under the influence of intoxicating substances at the time of the crash.
Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police K S Sudarsan said the preliminary investigation suspected that the driver was drunk, but stressed that this would have to be confirmed through blood test reports. Police have collected blood and other samples, while forensic examination of the car was under way to check for intoxicating substances.
The investigation will determine the precise circumstances of the collision, including the vehicle’s speed and the condition of the driver. The police action is focused on evidence from the medical examination, laboratory tests, forensic inspection and the crash site.
The fatality has also prompted the police to announce strengthened patrolling and other measures near the airport. The steps are intended to prevent crashes linked to overspeeding in the area, according to the Ernakulam Rural SP. Further action in the case will follow after the pending blood test reports and forensic examination are completed.
