How Did an 18-Year-Old Die When a Speeding Bus Rammed a Footpath in Kottayam?

Quick answer: An 18-year-old woman, Anjali of Nattassery, died after a speeding Thandapra private bus rammed into a footpath at Chanthakavala in Kottayam, Kerala. At least five women were trapped under the bus. The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) confirmed excessive speed was the main cause of the crash, and action has been initiated to cancel the driver's licence and the bus's fitness certificate.

Key facts

• What: Bus crash — private bus rammed into footpath (road accident)
• Where: Chanthakavala, Kottayam, Kerala, India
• Reported: 11 October 2026, via Onmanorama
• Vehicle: Thandapra private bus, driven by 25-year-old Atul Biju of Kurichi
• Reported toll: 1 dead (18-year-old Anjali of Nattassery); at least five women trapped under the bus
• Status: developing — figures may change

What happened

The Motor Vehicles Department confirmed that excessive speed was the main cause of the crash involving the Thandapra private bus at Chanthakavala on Friday, according to Onmanorama. Regional Transport Officer D Jayaraj stated that action has been initiated to cancel the licence of the driver, 25-year-old Atul Biju from Kurichi, as well as the fitness certificate of the vehicle. Kottayam West Police have also submitted a report seeking the cancellation of the driver's licence.

Biju had allegedly lost control of the bus, leading the vehicle to jump onto the pavement, trapping at least five women underneath. One of the victims, 18-year-old Anjali of Nattassery, succumbed to her injuries at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Saturday.

While the driver claimed that the brakes failed when he applied them on a slippery, rain-soaked road, initial police checks found no mechanical defect in the braking system. Instead, authorities discovered severe tyre wear on the rear wheels and suspected tampering with the vehicle's speed governor. Speed governors are often operational only during fitness tests and are later disconnected by operators to maintain aggressive trip timings, sources said.

Chanthakavala is typically crowded with over 100 commuters, mostly women working in nearby commercial establishments, after 6.30 pm every evening. Local shopkeepers noted that heavy rain had delayed many workers from stepping out to wait for buses, which inadvertently prevented a far higher casualty count. Community members reminded authorities that demands for a proper bus shelter and safety measures at Chanthakavala had been submitted to the Taluk Development Committee 18 months ago, but went unheeded until this incident forced officials to install speed breakers at the site.

If you drive on routes like this

• Slow down in unfamiliar conditions: every 1% of extra speed raises fatal-crash risk about 4%
• Never assume the other vehicle sees you at night or in rain — drive as if it doesn't
• On two-lane roads, treat every overtake as the highest-risk moment of the trip
• Wear the seatbelt in every seat; rear belts save lives in head-on impacts
• Know the local emergency number before you travel — our emergency numbers directory lists numbers by country

Frequently asked questions

### How did Anjali die in the Kottayam bus crash? An 18-year-old woman, Anjali of Nattassery, succumbed to her injuries at Kottayam Medical College Hospital on Saturday after the Thandapra private bus jumped onto the pavement at Chanthakavala and trapped at least five women underneath.

What caused the Kottayam bus crash?

The MVD confirmed excessive speed was the main cause. Police found no mechanical defect in the braking system despite the driver's claim of brake failure; severe tyre wear on the rear wheels and suspected tampering with the speed governor were discovered.

What action is being taken against the driver?

RTO D Jayaraj stated action has been initiated to cancel the licence of 25-year-old driver Atul Biju and the fitness certificate of the vehicle. Kottayam West Police have also submitted a report seeking cancellation of the driver's licence.

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*This is a developing story compiled from verified reporting; figures may change as official information is released.*

Source: www.onmanorama.com — https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/10/11/kottayam-bus-accident-anjali-death.html. Live tracking: our world map updates every 15 minutes.