Ashley Ann Thomas and Kripa Merin Kurian died after their scooter lost control and fell under an oncoming bus near Pampady in Kerala’s Kottayam. Dashcam footage reportedly captured the accident, which occurred after a car ahead slowed down on a narrow road. Both women were wearing helmets but died at the scene.
Two 24-year-old women were killed after their scooter lost control and fell under an oncoming private bus near Pampady in Kerala’s Kottayam district on Wednesday morning. The accident occurred at around 8.30 am and was captured on a dashcam, with footage reportedly showing the scooter losing balance after a car ahead slowed down on a narrow road.
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The victims were identified as Ashley Ann Thomas, daughter of V V Thomas of Meenadom, and Kripa Merin Kurian, daughter of Fr Kuriakose Kadavumbhagam of Pampady. The two were close friends who had known each other since their school days at BMM School in Pampady.
According to preliminary police information, they were travelling to Kanam to meet another friend. Both reportedly wore helmets but died at the scene after the bus ran over them.
How did the accident happen?
According to preliminary reports, a car travelling ahead swerved to avoid a motorcycle parked on the roadside and a pedestrian speaking to its rider. The scooter carrying Ashley and Kripa reportedly brushed against the car, causing the women to lose control and fall beneath a private bus travelling towards Kottayam.
Dashcam footage from a vehicle travelling behind them reportedly captured the sequence leading to the collision. Police are investigating the circumstances, including the alleged obstruction on the narrow road.
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Police personnel, forensic experts and fingerprint specialists inspected the accident site. District Police Chief K M Sabu Mathew confirmed that an investigation had been launched.
Who was Ashley Ann Thomas?
Ashley was a chartered accountancy student who had recently completed the ICCA course. Friends had reportedly planned to visit her home to congratulate her on the achievement. Instead, they were devastated to learn of her death.
Her father, V V Thomas, runs a workshop at Annadivayal in Velloor. Ashley is survived by her mother, Mary Thomas, and her brothers, Subin Varghese and Albin V Thomas.
Her body was scheduled to be brought home at 5 pm on Thursday. The funeral was scheduled for 10 am on Friday at St George Orthodox Church in Meenadom, following prayers at her residence.
Kripa Merin Kurian had returned from Australia
Kripa had returned to Kerala from Australia in the early hours of October 19 with her brother Kiran, who also works there. She was pursuing a Master of Social Work at James Cook University in Brisbane and had come home for a holiday.
Her return was also an opportunity to spend time with family and friends. Whenever she visited Kerala during university breaks, meeting Ashley was reportedly among her first priorities.
Kripa had planned to attend the annual festival at St Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church in Kadavumbhagam, Pampady, on October 24 and 25. Her father serves as the church’s vicar. She had bought new clothes for the celebrations and booked her return flight to Australia for November 16.
Her death came just month before her 25th birthday on November 22. She is survived by her father, Fr Kuriakose Kadavumbhagam, her mother, Anita Kurian of Manarcad, and her brother Kiran.
Her funeral was scheduled for 2 pm on Thursday at St Ignatius Jacobite Syrian Church in Kadavumbhagam, with Catholicos Baselios Joseph presiding over the service.
Investigation underway
The deaths have left both families, friends and the local community in shock. The two women had shared a friendship that stretched back to their school years, and their journey to meet another friend ended in tragedy.
Police are examining the sequence of events that led to the collision, including the reported road obstruction and the actions of those involved. The investigation will seek to establish how the scooter lost control and whether any negligence contributed to the accident.
The incident has also drawn attention to the dangers of narrow roads where parked vehicles, pedestrians and moving traffic can create unexpected hazards. The precise circumstances and responsibility for the crash remain subject to the police investigation.