Daijiworld Media Network - Kozhikode

Kozhikode, May 11: In a tragic road accident near Payyoli, four passengers lost their lives and eight others sustained injuries when a car collided with a Karnataka-registered van on the Mooradu bridge along the National Highway on Sunday evening.

Six family members were travelling in the ill-fated car. The deceased have been identified as Roja, Jayavalli, and Shijin Lal—all residents of Mahe—and Renji from Azhiyoor in Kozhikode. Despite being rushed to Vadakara Cooperative Hospital, four of them were declared brought dead. Their bodies have been moved to the mortuary at Vadakara Government Hospital.

Two car passengers survived, including 64-year-old Sathyan from Chennamangalam, Chorode, who sustained serious head injuries and is currently under treatment at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. "The patient has injuries to his head and is not in a condition to speak," said a police officer stationed at the hospital.

All six occupants of the van were also injured and are receiving treatment at a private hospital in Vadakara.

The cause of the collision is still under investigation, according to officials from the Vadakara Police Station.

Locals were the first to arrive at the scene and played a crucial role in rescuing the victims. “By the time we arrived, most of the work had already been done by the residents and we handled it from there,” said a rescue officer from the Vadakara Fire Station. The front of the car was completely mangled, requiring rescuers to break it open to access the injured.