Bus accident victim given a raw deal

KOCHI: The relatives of Tomy Joseph had a hard time recognizing him as he struggled to breath in the ICU. "His face was mutilated beyond recognition. And nobody cared to even console us," said Joshy Joseph, brother-in-law of Tomy.The accident that killed Pala-native Tomy (53) and injured 30 others had occurred on July 2, when the KSRTC bus in which they were travelling lost control and smashed against a tree on the roadside near Panikkarukudy in Kolencherry. Police reports say that the accident occurred when the driver lost control of the vehicle after a front tyre of the bus burst. The injured were admitted to the Kolencherry Medical College Hospital, where Tomy succumbed to his injuries.A daily wage labourer, Tomy was on his way to work in Puthencruz.Days after the tragedy, the family has not received any help from authorities. "The incident occurred at 7.15am and Tomy died around 12.15pm.The doctor had already informed us that his chances of surviving were slim. But after the death was confirmed, we were told that the body would be taken to the mortuary. But that did not happen till we paid the bill of Rs 35,540. By then, it was around 5pm, and too late to carry out postmortem. We had to shift the body to the freezer in the General Hospital. There was nowhere to go for help, nor did any politician or government official bother to visit us," said Joshy, an auto driver. He added that an amount of Rs 2,000 was given to Lilly Tomy, spouse of the deceased, two days ago. But she refused to accept the money. The family is now trying hard to arrange money for the rest of the rituals."I don't know whom to complain to, or where to go. We don't even have a house to go," said Lilly. The childless couple had been staying at a rented house in Chembumukku.An official with KSRTC said that monetary relief would be provided to the family of the deceased only after the police complete their reports and related procedures. It would take at least a week's time, he said. "As of now, no measures have been taken," said the officer.When TOI brought to notice this issue before the district collector, he promised to look into the matter and help the family.