Thrissur: In a tragic repeat of Kerala’s worsening road safety crisis, 24-year-old Abil Chacko, a resident of Laloor, lost his life after being run over by a private bus in Ayyanthole, Thrissur. The fatal accident occurred when Abil, en route to his workplace in Kunnamkulam, swerved his scooter to avoid a pothole. A private bus following closely behind hit his vehicle, causing him to fall and be crushed under its wheels. He died on the spot.
The area of Ayyanthole has seen a disturbing rise in such incidents, especially involving private buses and neglected roads. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the accident was a direct result of trying to dodge a dangerous pothole — a hazard becoming all too familiar to local commuters.
The shocking incident triggered massive public protests, with workers from both the Congress and BJP taking to the streets. A road blockade was organized, with angry demonstrators demanding swift repairs of damaged roads and calling for the Mayor’s arrest, holding civic authorities responsible for repeated, preventable deaths.
What makes the incident more alarming is that this is the second such death in just two weeks. A similar tragedy unfolded on MG Road, Thrissur, where another young man died under identical circumstances.
As frustration grows, residents are calling for immediate intervention, pointing to a deadly mix of government apathy and reckless bus driving. With lives being lost over potholes, citizens are demanding not just road repairs — but accountability.
