A Sacred Journey Interrupted: Bus Carrying Sabarimala Pilgrims Overturns, Dozens Injured on Treacherous Highway

Early Saturday morning, a bus carrying Sabarimala pilgrims, their hearts likely filled with devotion and anticipation, suddenly veered off the Kollam-Theni National Highway. It was a terrifying moment, just as the day was breaking, when the vehicle plunged a staggering 40 feet into a deep gorge near Pullupara, right on the treacherous Kumily mountain pass, bordering Kerala and Tamil Nadu. You can only imagine the sheer terror and chaos that must have erupted in those critical seconds.

The aftermath was heartbreaking. Approximately 50 devotees, many from Chennai, found themselves injured, their pilgrimage abruptly and violently interrupted. While most sustained what authorities termed minor injuries, around 8 to 10 individuals were seriously hurt. The most tragic cases reported included a young boy who, devastatingly, lost a leg, and another pilgrim whose arm had to be amputated – truly life-altering consequences from a journey meant for spiritual solace.

It appears the driver, for reasons yet fully investigated, lost control of the vehicle on this notoriously challenging stretch of road. The bus then careened off the highway, tumbling into the deep ravine below. Miraculously, perhaps, the driver and conductor managed to escape with only minor injuries, a stark contrast to the severe plight of their passengers who were trapped within the wreckage.

News of the accident quickly spread, triggering a massive, coordinated rescue operation. Locals, always the first responders in such remote areas, rushed to the scene, their efforts bolstered by teams from the police, fire force, and even the forest department. It was a grueling task, working against time and the difficult terrain, to extricate the injured from the mangled bus and ferry them to safety. The collaborative spirit, in the face of such adversity, was truly commendable.

Once rescued, the injured were swiftly transported to various medical facilities. Many were taken to the Periyar Tiger Reserve hospital, with more serious cases being rushed to Kottayam Medical College and a private hospital in Kumily for urgent care. State Minister Roshy Augustine made it a point to visit the victims, offering support and ensuring that proper medical attention was being provided, a gesture of solidarity during a difficult time.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable dangers that can lurk on our roads, especially on demanding routes like the Kumily mountain pass. For those pilgrims, a sacred journey turned into a struggle for survival. We can only hope for a full and speedy recovery for all affected, and that lessons learned from such tragedies lead to enhanced safety measures for future travelers.