Thodupuzha: A passenger travelling in the Vannapuram-Muvattupuzha route died after he deboarded a private bus here.
Though the passenger, A E Xavier (68) fainted during the bus journey, the bus allegedly stopped only after travelling five kms. His death is attributed to lack of timely medical attention.
Xavier’s relatives later staged a protest seeking action against the bus staff. They alleged that the employees had failed to stop the bus at a hospital along the way, leading to Xavier’ death. The relatives have demanded the police to register a case against the bus authorities. Following the protest, the police filed a case of unnatural death. However, none were named as the accused.
Meanwhile, Bino Paul, owner of the private bus, said that Xavier was not forcibly evicted from the vehicle. “The man was, in fact, given first aid and sent to hospital in an auto-rickshaw,” he said.
The driver of the auto in which Xavier was taken to hospital also said that the bus employees had behaved properly with the sick man.