Kozhikode: Two youths were killed and three others seriously injured after their car collided with a lorry reportedly travelling in the wrong direction on National Highway 66 near Ramanattukara in Kozhikode early Sunday morning.

The accident took place at around 3.30am near Idimuzhikkal in Chelambra, along the NH 66 stretch near Ramanattukara. The deceased were identified as Kottiri Haris, 30, and K.T. Jamsheer, 32, both residents of Poovathumad in Koomanna, Peruvallur.

Three other occupants of the car, identified as Musammil, Uwais and Jabir, sustained serious injuries in the crash. They were taken to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for treatment.

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Car collides with stone-laden lorry

According to the report, the group was travelling from Kozhikode towards Chelari after returning from Kozhikode beach when their car collided with a lorry carrying stones.

The lorry had reportedly entered the service road from the national highway through a speed track and was returning after making a U-turn when the collision occurred. The circumstances surrounding its movement, including the reported wrong-way entry, are being examined by the authorities.

Fresh concerns over NH 66 safety

The crash has renewed concerns about road safety on NH 66, particularly the movement of heavy vehicles, road markings, signage and access points connecting the main carriageway with service roads.

The incident comes soon after a fatal crash at Kaipamangalam in which eight students were killed when their car collided with a parked lorry. That accident also raised concerns about the adequacy of direction boards and road indicators at a point where vehicles needed to move towards a service road.

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The two crashes have highlighted different but related road-safety concerns along NH 66. While the Ramanattukara accident has brought the reported movement of a heavy vehicle in the wrong direction into focus, the Kaipamangalam crash raised questions about signage and road guidance.

The latest incident has therefore renewed scrutiny of highway design, traffic management and warning systems intended to prevent dangerous vehicle movements. However, the exact circumstances of the Ramanattukara crash and responsibility for the collision will depend on the findings of the official investigation. Any conclusions regarding negligence should be based on those findings.