A pregnant woman, Reesha (26), and her husband, Prajith (32), died tragically on Thursday, February 2, 2023, after their Maruti S-Presso car caught fire near the Kannur District Hospital in Kerala. The couple, on their way to the hospital due to Reesha experiencing labour pains, became trapped when the front doors of the vehicle failed to open. Four other passengers, including a child, seated in the rear, managed to escape the inferno, aided by bystanders and the driver’s attempt to open the back door from inside.
Preliminary investigations by the police suggest a short circuit as the likely cause of the fire. Forensic officials have been examining the vehicle to determine the exact circumstances. Eyewitness accounts indicated the fire may have started near the driver's legs, with some reports suggesting seat belts became entangled, further hindering the couple's escape.
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Details of the Incident
The harrowing event unfolded on Thursday morning, February 2, 2023, as the family travelled from Kuttiyattoor to the Kannur District Hospital. The car, a Maruti S-Presso, was in motion when the fire erupted. The quick actions of bystanders alerted the driver, Prajith, who managed to stop the vehicle. While the passengers in the back successfully exited the car, Prajith and Reesha, occupying the front seats, were unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames.
Emergency services, including the fire brigade, arrived at the scene promptly. However, by the time the fire was extinguished, the couple had already succumbed to their injuries. The surviving passengers were taken to a local hospital for assessment and treatment, with reports indicating they sustained no serious injuries.
Background
This incident brings to the fore concerns regarding vehicle safety, particularly in emergent situations. The inability to open the car doors and potential issues with seatbelt mechanisms have been highlighted as critical factors in the loss of life. While police investigations are ongoing to confirm the cause, the immediate aftermath saw a community grappling with the shocking loss of a young couple.
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Similar incidents, though not directly linked, have been reported in the region. On June 7, 2024, a man died in a car fire in Kozhikode. Separately, on June 18, 2024, another report detailed a couple dying in a car fire in Kannur, also while en route to the hospital for delivery. These events underscore a persistent, though not necessarily connected, pattern of fatal vehicle fires.
