Iritty: The iron framework of the heritage bridge at Iritty proved to be a saviour for the KSRTC Swift bus and the 22 passengers onboard. The KSRTC Swift bus, travelling from Bengaluru to Payyannur, met with an accident on the Iritty old bridge yesterday around 4 PM.

The front portion of the bus, including its tyres, was found rammed into the bridge and protruding over the river. A major tragedy was averted as the iron framework of the bridge acted as a shield. The river flows approximately 25 metres below the bridge.

There were 22 passengers on board. Eight individuals, including the driver and conductor, sustained minor injuries. Both the bridge’s framework and the Swift bus suffered partial damage. The bus  from Bengaluru had earlier dropped passengers at the bus stand via the Iritty new bridge and was en route to Payyannur via the old bridge when the accident occurred.

The bus collided with the granite pillar at the entrance of the bridge and crashed into the iron framework. The granite pillar was demolished in the impact. The old bridge was open to smaller vehicles, excluding cargo vehicles, under a temporary one-way traffic arrangement. Following the accident, vehicles heading towards Taliparamba and Ulikkal were diverted through the new bridge.

The  British-era bridge, listed as a heritage structure, is currently under conservation following the construction of a new parallel bridge. Passengers were safely evacuated by the fire and police departments.