Kozhikode: In a tragic incident, a four-year-old boy was killed after a speeding bus rammed into the two-wheeler on which he was travelling with his family. The accident occurred on the Edavanna–Koyilandy route of State Highway 34 at North Karassery near Mukkom on Wednesday.

The deceased is Mohammed Ivaan, son of Karangadan Jasil from  Keezhuparamba near Areacode in Malappuram district.

Three of his family members, including his mother and elder brother, sustained injuries in the crash. His grandfather, Abdul Kabeer Kodathoor from Areacode, was rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. The Mukkom Fire and Rescue team took Ivaan’s mother Fathima Jiba and his seven-year-old brother Hanan to a private medical college hospital in Mukkom. According to hospital sources, both sustained minor injuries.

The accident took place at the Madampuram curve, a known accident-prone spot on the highway. CCTV footage shows a speeding private bus, Sooryodaya, coming from the Areacode, ramming into the two-wheeler from behind. It is suspected that the collision occurred when the bus driver attempted to overtake the scooter.

The family was on their way to Koduvally from Kabeer’s house in Areacode to attend a function. Though Ivaan was rushed to the medical college hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.

The child’s body will be handed over to the family after post-mortem.

Public protest over unscientific road construction
Following the accident, residents of North Karassery blocked the road for about half an hour in protest. They alleged that the unscientific construction of the road has turned the stretch into a death trap.

TM Jaffer, a local resident who participated in the protest, said commuters risk their lives daily on this stretch.

“Many precious lives have been lost on this route so far. The main reason for these deadly accidents is the unscientific construction of the road. This must be addressed immediately — but no one listens to our complaints,” he said.

The protest was called off after Mukkom police reached the spot and assured residents that steps would be taken to address their concerns.

Third accident within a week
This is the third fatal accident reported on this stretch of State Highway 34 within a week.

On October 2, Sinan (17) of Thiruvaly near Wandoor in Malappuram district sustained critical injuries in an accident at Gothamba Road and succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday morning. The mishap occurred when the car he was travelling in with his family lost control and collided head-on with a private bus coming from the opposite direction. Three of his family members were injured, and one remains under treatment.

On October 5, Sivan Theyyathumkavu of Karuthaparamba was killed on the spot after being thrown onto the road when the autorickshaw he was travelling in hit the rear of a car. The fatal accident took place at Valiyaparamba, along the same highway.