Kuttippuram accident: Bus was travelling at 130 km/h before crash, probe finds

Kuttippuram: The private bus involved in Sunday's fatal accident in Kuttippuram, Kerala was travelling at 130 km/h moments before the crash, according to digital evidence collected by a special investigation team.

The evidence was retrieved on Tuesday from CCTV cameras installed along the six-lane highway. The team, comprising officials from the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and the Motor Vehicles Department, is investigating the cause of the accident.

Investigators found that the bus was travelling at 130 km/h before reaching the Athani Bazaar service road, where the accident occurred. The speed limit for heavy vehicles at the entry and exit points of service roads along the highway is 50 km/h, while the maximum permitted speed on the six-lane highway is 80 km/h.

According to the team's preliminary findings, excessive speed, coupled with reduced tyre grip on the wet road due to rain, appears to have caused the accident.

Officials said the exact sequence of events will become clear only after the driver is questioned. The final report will be submitted to the Transport Commissioner once all aspects of the investigation have been completed.

Meanwhile, NHAI officials have urged the investigation team to introduce a mechanism to enforce penalties for speeding on the six-lane highway in an effort to improve road safety.