Thiruvananthapuram: In an unfortunate incident, five pedestrians were injured on Sunday when an overspeeding car veered onto a footpath near the General Hospital, police said.

According to reports, four people are in critical condition.

The incident happened around 12:30 p.m. According to the Police, the car lost control, veered onto the footpath, and hit pedestrians before ramming into an autorickshaw parked nearby. The impact also damaged other vehicles in the vicinity.

Those injured include auto drivers Surendran, 50, of Kuttichal; Kumar, 42, of Ayiroopara; and Shafi, 40, of Azhikode, as well as a man and a woman who were about to board an auto from the hospital.

Several victims suffered fractures and head injuries. The four critically injured were shifted from the General Hospital to the Medical College Hospital after first aid.

The car was driven by AK Vishnunath, 25, of Vattiyoorkavu, who was accompanied by his uncle.

Enforcement RTO Ajith Kumar, who visited the site, said preliminary information indicated the accident may have occurred because the driver pressed the accelerator instead of the brake.

The mishap reportedly happened during a driving lesson. Both occupants of the car were taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The RTO said no major technical faults were found in the vehicle during the initial inspection, and the driver’s licence and related documents will be verified.

Speaking to ANI, Transport Commissioner CH Nagaraju said, "This accident happened out of pure negligence on the part of the driver and his attendant. The preliminary information reveals that the driver was being trained by the person sitting next to him...It appears that the driver suddenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brakes. It's a very busy route in front of the General Hospital.”

“I think the driver and the person sitting next to him have been taken into custody. I learned that they are in the cantonment police station and that proceedings are going on…," he added.