Valanchery: ‘He left with many dreams left behind. Now why do we have to live…’ Sethumadhavan, the father of Sarath Menon, who died in an accident in Valanchery, said this with great stumbling in the Chittadi Meluveet in Mannarkkad Kotopadam.
Rita was the dreams of this only son who died. The dreams of Postmaster Sethumadhavan and his wife Preeta.
‘When I reached Mahi on Wednesday night, I spoke on the phone. His marriage proposals were going on. We were preparing to do it quickly. There is nothing anymore…’ All the pains of a father were filled in those eyes.
Sarath, who is a manager in a private company in Bengaluru, had come home for a vacation a few days ago. That’s when he started a new business venture with his friends. Onion bringing agency from Nashik. A week ago he went by air from Kochi to bring onion. Sarath is coming from Pune in a lorry carrying onions from Nashik. So, when he reached Mahi on Wednesday night, he called Setumadhavan. After hearing the news of the accident, Sethumadhavan reached the hospital in Valanchery.
Ways of the traveler
The journey was a charm for Sarat. Sarath traveled by bike through various parts of India and had a great passion for biking, cycling and trekking. He has received awards and accolades for his outstanding performance in riding. He travels by bike to his workplace in Bengaluru and back home. Sethumadhavan also remembered Sarath going to Thiruvananthapuram to collect the best rider award.
A tragic end for three people
Valancherry: Three people died tragically when a lorry carrying onions went out of control at Vattapara, a danger zone on the national highway.
Sarath Menon (29), the only son of Sethumadhavan at Mannarkkad Kotopapadam Chittadi Meluveet, Unnikrishnan (Anish-55), son of Rajaappan at Cholakal House, driver Chalakudy Kundur Alamattam, and Arun George (22), son of lorry owner Chalakudy Vadakkumcheri Ainikatan George, died instantly.
The accident happened at 7.20 am on Friday. The lorry was carrying onions from Nashik to Aluva in Maharashtra when the accident occurred.
While descending towards Valancherry, the lorry lost control at Mudippinvala, a danger zone in Vattapara. The lorry broke the concrete barricade placed on the road and fell to a depth of regarding 30 feet. The cabin, where three people including the driver were sitting, was in a cramped position at the bottom. The locals and the fire brigade tried for a long time to cut open the cabin and pulled out the trio.
He was taken to a private hospital in Valancherry but died.
After examination at Mancheri Medical College, the dead bodies were handed over to the relatives.
Sarath Menon was a manager in a private company in Bengaluru. Mother: Preeta (Block Panchayat member, Mannarkkad Payyanedam Division). Funeral on Saturday morning at 10.30 am at Ivarmath, Thiruvilvamala.
Deceased Unnikrishnan was a driver in many vehicles for 20 years. Wife: Shibi. Children: Aditya (plus student) and Advait (10th standard).
Arun’s mother: Nisha. Sister: Angel. Cremation on Saturday at Nityasayamata Cemetery, Chalakudy.
First to the danger scene…
Valancherry: Moiteenkutty, a native of Kanjipura, Cholakkal East, was going by car for a matter related to the sale of his land in Valiyakunn.
Moiteenkutty, who happened to witness the scene of the accident, says: ‘There is a lorry carrying onions in front. When it reached the danger zone at Vattapara, the car slowed down once more. The lorry is also not speeding. But when I got near the Mudipin bend, the sight I saw was shocking. After crossing the hump in this area, the lorry did not turn quickly and broke the barricade and went alone.
Seeing the lorry overturning, Moiteenkutty stopped the car and got out and shouted. By that time, people from nearby shops and houses who had seen the accident were also running. 68-year-old Moiteenkutty was an ambulance driver at a petroleum company in Qatar.
Moments of trepidation
Valancherry: Vattapara is no stranger to those moments of panic. But the sight of such a tragic death was the first. Three lives were crushed under the overturned lorry. As soon as the accident happened at 7.20 in the morning, the people who rushed to the spot were shocked because they might not get the people out. The driver’s cabin had collapsed under that weight.
Valancherry police arrived within minutes. Rescue operation is possible only following taking out the cabin. The lorry has to be taken out for that. A nearby crane was brought in immediately. It was a crane for the construction of National Highway 66. The Alex Reed workers who worked here also came to the rescue operation. After 18 minutes, everything got faster when the fire brigade arrived from Tirur.
Then within seconds, the lorry was picked up and brought to the side of the road. The cabin lying below was cut down and the three people were taken out at eight o’clock. But the trio might not be saved.
The rescue operation was completed by nine o’clock.
Kudos, saving hands
Valancherry: Along with the locals, police and fire brigade, the workers of KNRC worked in the rescue operation.
Tirur DYSP K.M. According to Biju’s instructions, Valanchery SHO. K. Under the leadership of Jalil, the entire staff of Kuttipuram and Valanchery police stations worked with one mind.
It was also possible to control the traffic on the national highway.
