'It took some time to realize Nedhya was trapped under the bus,' locals recall tragic bus accident

Sreekandapuram, Kannur: The residents of Valakkai in Kannur district are in shock after a school bus overturned on Wednesday evening, resulting in the tragic death of young girl, Nedhya S Rajesh.

Following the accident, the locals worked together to lift the bus and retrieve the child, who had been trapped underneath.

“We heard a loud noise and came running. There were cries everywhere,” a local resident said. “The children were taken to the hospital immediately, but Nedhya, who was pulled out from under the bus, passed away on the way. She was bleeding heavily and was too weak by the time we reached her.”

“We heard the terrifying noise and rushed to the spot,” said a rescue worker. "The child was trapped under the bus and was found only after some time. She did not survive the journey to the hospital."

Witnesses described the chaotic scene, with injured children crying and bleeding. “Some children were bleeding from their noses. We fetched water from a nearby shop to wash their faces, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop,” said a shopkeeper. “The deceased child and another boy had severe injuries.”

The accident which claimed the life of 11-year-old Nedhya S Rajesh and injured 14 others, in the accident happened near the Valakkai Bridge in Kannur. According to initial reports, the accident happened after the bus lost control while transitioning from a service road to the state highway. The locals blamed the unscientific road design for frequent mishaps in the area.