Team Blitz India
ALAPPUZHA: In a rare act of bravery, a KSRTC driver’s presence of mind saved the lives of nearly 30 passengers onboard a bus on January 20. The intrepid driver, who suffered a cardiac arrest while on duty, used his presence of mind and managed to bring the bus to a halt ensuring the passengers’ safety. But in the process, TM Pareed (49) died while being rushed to the hospital.
Pareed, who was the driver of the overnight Thrissur-Thiruvananthapuram Superfast, felt severely unwell, shortly after the bus left Karunagappally bus station around 11.45 pm on Saturday.
“He began experiencing severe chest pain but managed to hit the brakes and bring the speeding vehicle to a halt. He then lied down, saying he would be alright after some time. But we realised his condition was serious,” said conductor Sajith Lal.
The nearly 30 passengers who were on the bus at the time were shifted to another bus heading for the state capital.
“We first rushed him to the Karunagappally Taluk Hospital around midnight. The doctors there asked us to take him to Vandanam Medical College, where he was declared brought dead,” said Sajith.
“He (Pareed) was with the KSRTC for 25 years. He had a flawless record never having being involved in a single accident after all these years. Off duty, he was a jovial person as he had a very good sense of humour, We will miss him,” said P Anil, another KSRTC driver.
