A horrific collision in the early hours of Thursday morning claimed the lives of three young people when the autorickshaw they were travelling in smashed into a bus carrying Lord Ayyappa devotees returning from the Sabarimala pilgrimage.

The accident occurred at around 1 am on the Punalur-Anchal road in Kollam district, police confirmed.

The deceased were identified as 23-year-old Akshay, 21-year-old Jyothi Lakshmi, and 16-year-old Sruthy Lakshmi, all residents of Karavaloor. According to investigators, the autorickshaw — driven by Akshay — appeared to have lost control before veering into the path of the bus transporting pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh.

Akshay was pronounced dead at the scene, while Jyothi Lakshmi and Sruthy Lakshmi were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.

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