A routine holiday trip turned into an overwhelming tragedy on the forest ghat road between Malakkappara and Valparai, leaving families shattered and an entire village in grief. What began as a joyful journey to Athirappilly and Vazhachal ended in devastation when a tempo traveller lost control on a steep hairpin bend and plunged down the hillside.

At the heart of the sorrow is a heartbreaking scene that unfolded outside the mortuary, where a young man broke down uncontrollably upon seeing his mother’s body. Family members and onlookers stood in silence, many in tears, as the reality of the tragedy sank in.

The group, mostly teachers and school staff from Malappuram, had set out on a holiday trip during the Vishu vacation. Their route took them through the scenic forest stretch of Athirappilly and Vazhachal, before entering the challenging 40-hairpin-bend road towards Valparai. Known for its breathtaking views, the ghat road is also notorious for its dangerous curves and steep drops, requiring extreme caution while driving.

The accident occurred around 5.30 pm when the vehicle reportedly lost control at the 13th hairpin bend and plunged down to the 9th bend below. The impact left the vehicle severely damaged. Locals who witnessed the aftermath immediately alerted the authorities, triggering a large-scale rescue operation.

Ambulances from Pollachi Taluk Hospital reached the remote location within minutes, though the accident site is nearly 30 kilometres from the hospital, causing delays in transporting the injured. Those in critical condition were first given emergency care at Pollachi and later shifted to Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for specialised treatment. One person remains under observation at Pollachi Taluk Hospital.

Officials confirmed that there were 13 occupants in the vehicle, including the driver. Earlier confusion over the passenger count was clarified after verification of travel records. Among the deceased and injured were school teachers, staff members, and their relatives, many of whom had travelled together to make the holiday memorable.

Relatives began arriving at hospitals and mortuaries late into the night as news of the accident spread. The atmosphere was described as one of unbearable grief, especially as families were forced to identify loved ones and confront the scale of the loss.

Senior district officials, including the Collector and Superintendent of Police, visited the hospital to oversee arrangements and coordinate relief measures. Kerala Police officials also reached the scene, working alongside Tamil Nadu authorities in rescue and investigation efforts. The State Disaster Response Force, fire and rescue services, and forest officials jointly carried out operations in the difficult terrain.

The tragedy has cast a deep shadow over the local community in Malappuram, where many of the victims were well-known educators. Among them were experienced teachers and school staff members who had planned the trip together during their vacation. Colleagues described them as close-knit and enthusiastic about the journey.

One of the most poignant aspects of the incident was the presence of families at the hospital and mortuary, struggling to process the sudden loss. The sight of the young son breaking down in front of his mother’s body has become a lasting image of the tragedy’s emotional toll.

Authorities have launched a detailed inquiry into the cause of the accident, with attention focused on road safety conditions along the ghat section. The incident has once again raised concerns about the risks associated with travelling through the winding Valparai route, especially for large passenger vehicles.