Kaipamangalam Accident: All Eight Victims Were Drunk, Fled After Altercation Before Crash

Thrissur: Key details have emerged in the accident at Kaipamangalam that claimed the lives of eight students. Forensic examination has found that all eight Tamil Nadu natives in the vehicle were under the influence of alcohol at the time. Samples have been sent to the Chemical Examination Centre at Kakkanad for detailed analysis.

Investigators have also found that just before the accident, the group — already in an inebriated state — had an altercation with locals at Thalikkulam Pathamkal, after their vehicle stopped to ask for directions. The dispute escalated into a physical confrontation, prompting locals to alert Vadanappally police.

However, the group got back into the vehicle and fled before police arrived. Investigators believe the crash occurred because, fearing police would catch up with them, the group was speeding towards Kochi when their vehicle rear-ended an illegally parked goods lorry on the national highway at Kaipamangalam.

Police are now focusing their investigation on the route taken by the vehicle from Thalikkulam Pathamkal onwards. CCTV footage and other evidence from the area are being collected. There are also indications that the group had visited the Guruvayoor temple. Police are examining in detail the circumstances leading to the altercation with locals, the actual cause of the accident and the chain of events that culminated in the tragedy.