Two men were killed after being hit by a train while returning after watching the Champions Boat League race at Karuvatta on Saturday – AI image
The deceased have been identified as Prakasan (60) of Mullakkathara, Pallana Panoor in Thrikkunnapuzha panchayat and Suresh alias Podiyan (49) of Manchadithara, Pallana. The accident occurred around 7 pm on the railway track near Kurichikkal bridge in Karuvatta.
Police said preliminary findings indicated that the two, part of a group walking back along the track after the race, were unable to distinguish the sound of trains approaching from both directions and became trapped on the line. Those walking ahead were said to have noticed the two missing only after the train had passed and returned to search for them. Suresh’s body was found on the track, while Prakasan was found lying below the bridge after apparently falling from it. Prakasan worked as a fish vendor and leaves behind his wife Vijayamma and sons Praveen and Prajeesh. Suresh worked as a construction labourer and leaves behind wife Suja and children Karthik and Keerthana. Haripad police and railway police reached the spot and completed inquest proceedings, after which the bodies were shifted to the mortuary at Haripad Taluk Hospital.