Thrissur: Tharayil Afsal, an ambulance driver from Edakkazhiyoor, flew across 163 kilometres in just 135 minutes (2 hours and 15 minutes) to save the life of a two-and-a-half-year-old child battling a brain tumour.

During the 135-minute drive from Almas Hospital in Kottakkal to Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Afsal drove with the goal of reaching the hospital just in time to save the child's life. Afsal, an executive member of Edakkazhiyoor Life Care, drives the organisation's ambulance.

In recognition of his exceptional service, a felicitation ceremony was held at Edakkazhiyoor. Punnayoor Panchayat President T V Surendran inaugurated the event, with Life Care President Mujeeb Pulinkunnath presiding. Modern Basheer, R V Muhammad Kutty, M V Hyderali, M C Mustafa, Beerankutty Palliparambil, Babu Skylark, Hamsa Ambalath, and K Kamaru spoke on the occasion.