Palakkad student injured after roadside slab she steps on collapses into drain

Palakkad: A law student was injured after a slab along the national highway collapsed as she exited an auditorium after attending a seminar organised by the Excise Department. Classmates alleged that neither the police nor excise officials assisted in taking the injured student to the hospital.

Rahatha Farsana (28), a resident of Pattambi and a first-year law student at Kulappalli Al Ameen College, was injured in the accident that occurred yesterday at 2.30 PM. Rahatha and her classmates were returning after attending the seminar held at the Cosmopolitan Club auditorium near the national highway when she fell into a three-metre-deep drain after a slab on the service road gave way. She sustained injuries to her spine and leg and was shifted to a private hospital in Ottapalam after receiving initial treatment at the district hospital.

‘Police and Excise remained spectators’
Classmates alleged that police and excise officials, including senior officers, stood by as mere spectators despite witnessing Rahatha’s fall. When approached for help, they reportedly declined, stating they have to  escort the minister.

The district hospital failed to provide an ambulance. When contacted, the response was that no ambulance was available. Students said Rahatha was rushed to the hospital in an autorickshaw.

A regular accident zone
Accidents are frequent in the Kadangodu area due to missing slabs along the drain. The existing slabs are also weak. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is responsible for repairing the slabs.

Palakkad municipal authorities stated that despite repeated letters, the NHAI has not taken any action.