more-in Forty-four passengers on board a moving bus had a narrow escape when the vehicle caught fire after being rammed by a two-wheeler. The youth, who was riding the motorcycle, died of injuries later at a hospital. The accident took place around 3.30 p.m. at Maradi Pallikavala on MC Road, when the KSRTC bus was on its way to Kottayam from Thrissur. All of a sudden, a bike rammed the bus even as the rider was thrown off in the impact of the collision. “The fuel tank of the two-wheeler sprang a leak, and the bus soon caught fire from a spark that erupted in the impact of the collision. The fire soon spread to the platform, following which the driver opened the automatic doors to evacuate the passengers. Soon after the passengers disembarked, the fire spread to more parts, and the flames engulfed the entire vehicle,” the police said. Preliminary probe revealed that the motorcycle, which was taking part in drag racing through the busy stretch, hit the bus from the wrong side. “Three two-wheelers were seen speeding together, and the accident took place when one of them overtook the other two,” officials said. The motorcycle rider was rushed to the Kottayam Medical College, but he succumbed to injuries later. Preliminary investigations established the identity of the deceased as Anoop Alex, 18, a native of Kottarakkara. A probe is on to trace the other two motorcycles that were part of the race.

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