Kottayam: A nurse died and three others were injured after an ambulance collided with a car at Punnathura junction on Ettumanoor-Pala road, Kottayam, on Friday. The ambulance was carrying a patient from Kanchiyar in Idukki to Kottayam Medical College Hospital (MCH) when it lost control, toppled over and crashed into a car around 2.30 pm.

The deceased is identified as Jithin George (41), a native of Narakakanam, Idukki. He suffered injuries to his head and died on the spot. The injured are Jijo Thomas, Shiny and Thangamma from Nedumkandam. They were rushed to Kottayam MCH by residents who witnessed the accident. They sustained minor injuries in the crash, and their condition is stable.

Fire and rescue officials used a recovery vehicle to lift the ambulance. Residents also helped in the rescue operation. The front portion of the car sustained significant damage in the accident. Meanwhile, the crash caused a major traffic jam along the Ettumanoor–Pala route. Police reached the spot promptly and initiated further action.

Jithin's body will be handed over to his family after completing the postmortem examination at Kottayam MCH.

Jithin has been working as an 108 ambulance emergency technician for the past 6 years. He completed his general nursing studies in Karnataka and worked in Delhi and Mumbai. He also worked as a nurse in the Primary Health Centre, Rajakumary, Idukki. 

He is survived by his wife, Anns Abraham, and son, Jovan Jithin.