KOCHI: Five youths were killed and two others injured when their car ploughed into a tourist bus to Sabarimala early on Thursday morning. The youths were on their way to Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial) to see off a friend who secured a job in Oman. The incident happened on MC Road near Vallom, Perumbavoor.The deceased were identified as Jineesh (22) son of Stephan from Fairfield Estate, Elappara; Vijayan (25) son of Wilson from Moolayil, Elappara; Kiran (22) son of Hari from Elappara; Unni (22) son of Roy from Chemmannu Estate, Elappara and Jerin (20) son of Yesudas from Puthenpurackal, Chemmannu. Jibin son of Yesudas, Puthenpurackal, Chemmanu and Appu (alias Sujith) son of Somaraj of Chemmanu are the injured. Jibin is the brother of Jerin.Police said the accident happened on a steep curve when the car crossed a truck laden with wooden logs only to ram the bus heading towards Kalady from Perumbavoor.The front part of the car got stuck inside the bus, crushing the youths. Five of them died at the spot while the other two were rushed to a nearby hospital. While Jibin was taken to San Joe hospital in Perumbavoor, Appu was rushed to Rajagiri hospital in Aluva . Police said Jibin escaped with minor injuries. Hospital sources said Appu sustained injuries on his tongue and a spot near his ear. “He would require a maxillofacial surgery. His condition is stable,” said a source.Police added that Jerin’s friends and relatives had a lucky escape as they had gone to the airport in five other vehicles ahead of the group which met with the accident. Apart from Jerin, two others were to take the 4am flight to Oman. The other two completed checkin procedures as they had no idea that Jerin had died. They left for Oman on the flight.Police have collected CCTV footage from the area. The driver of the bus was taken into custody over suspicion of traffic violation but was let off later.“We have (initially) registered a primary case under section 304-A (causing death by negligence) against the bus driver. However, after a preliminary probe our understanding is that the accident happened because of the car driver’s negligence. The cleaner and driver claimed that they didn’t see the car and that it overtook the truck suddenly and rammed the vehicle,” said an officer.Police said the car was packed beyond capacity. “The car was a Chevrolet Beat and it had seven people in it. We are looking into this aspect,” said the officer.The five youths are from poor families, living in small houses given by estate owners. Most family members are plantation workers and daily-wage workers.Jerin’s family had borrowed money from moneylenders to buy his visa and their future hinged on his job. Vijayan had recently bought his vehicle to earn a living.Meanwhile, autopsies of the deceased were completed at hospitals in Muvattupuzha , Kothamangalam and Perumbavoor. Bodies were handed over to their kin by Thursday afternoon. Rescue operations were affected by heavy rain at night with officers taking hours to clear the bus from the road.

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