KOLLAM: A young mother died on the spot leaving her nine-month-old baby gravely injured after a private bus hit behind the scooter she was pillion riding at Kadappakkada here Tuesday. Police identified the victim as Sumaiyah (23) of Kuzhivila Thekkathil, Gandhinagar, Mangadu. Her daughter Naziya was admitted to a private hospital in Kollam with severe head injuries and is struggling for life.
Her husband Navas (32) who rode the scooter escaped with minor injuries. The incident took place around 10 am at Kadappakkada junction while they were returning after seeking treatment for their fever-affected daughter at a nearby hospital. A private bus named ‘Sreekumar’ plying along the Ashtamudi – Perumpuzha route hit the scooter while trying to overtake another vehicle at the traffic signal there.
The driver of the bus, Balan Pillai of Kadavoor near Anchalummoodu, was in haste to cross the traffic signal before it turned red, said an eyewitness. The scooter crushed the lady to death under its rear wheels. Pillai and his co-driver fled the scene soon after the accident while the police took the bus into custody. Mr Navas is an employee of a college canteen at Karikode. Police registered a case and launched a manhunt for the absconding bus staff.
