Licences suspended of driver, passenger of car that mowed down pedestrians in Thiruvananthapuram

The Motor Vehicles Department on Monday suspended the driving licence of Vattiyurkavu native A.K. Vishnunath, whose car mowed down several pedestrians near the General Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram a day ago.

The suspension will remain in effect for one year. Besides, the licence of his uncle, Vijayan, who had provided him driving training during the mishap, has also been suspended, official sources said.

The accident, which occurred on Sunday, occurred when Vishnunath lost control of the vehicle and drove onto the footpath near the hospital. The speeding car hit five pedestrians, leaving four of them critically injured. Having sustained considerable head and spinal injuries, the injured are being treated in the intensive care unit at the Government Medical College Hospital. Two among them, Surendran and Anjaneyan, have undergone surgeries.

Preliminary findings suggested that the driver mistakenly pressed the accelerator instead of the brake. As part of corrective measures, both Vishnunath and Vijayan will be sent to the Institute of Driver Training and Research at Edappal for further training and evaluation. They have been booked by the Cantonment police.