Minister Has A Narrow Escape After Moving Toyota Innova Crysta’s Rear Wheel Comes Off
Kerala’s Fisheries, Culture, and Youth Affairs minister Saji Cherian had a narrow escape on Wednesday. One of thee rear wheels of his car, a Toyota Innova Crysta, went off mid-ride. His driver, however, acted quick and brought the vehicle to a safe stop. A major accident was averted.
Saji Cherian, who is also the MLA from Alappuzha's Chengannur, was travelling to Thiruvananthapuram to attend a cabinet meeting. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning (December 17) near Vamanapuram on MC Road, roughly 80 kilometres from Chengannur.
This Innova Crysta has been serving as Cherian's official vehicle (State car number 8) for the past few years. While negotiating a curve, its rear left tyre came off, with a loud noise. The vehicle was still in motion, likely doing a decent speed. The driver assumed it to be a tyre blowout and managed to bring the Crysta to a safe stop.
A closer inspection revealed the gravity of the situation. One of the rear wheels was missing! It had detached from the hub assembly, completely.
Image Source: Manorama
Luckily, nobody was hurt in this accident. The driver was able to keep the car under control and prevent a possible crash or rollover. The Minister was soon shifted to his escort vehicle, and later continued the journey in a car that belongs to MLA DK Murali.
Cherian reportedly described the incident as mysterious. The police have taken suo motu cognisance of it and an investigation is already underway.
According to early reports, the Innova Crysta had visited a service centre not long before the incident. Improper wheel fastening is being cited as a possible cause of this mishap. While there isn't any official confirmation yet, it sure remains a possibility.
In most cases where a wheel comes off while the vehicle is in motion, the actual reason is fastening failure. These again, can be due to loose or broken lug nuts or studs, or even improper implementation. Component failures like faulty axles, hubs, and wheel bearings can also cause such accidents.
Going by reports and available pictures, this incident appears to be a case of fastening failure. If so, the mechanics who torqued in the wheels at the service center may have to be held accountable. Most service centers use motorised tools to fasten wheels. However, there is still room for improper implementation. In most cases of misfitment, the driver would be able to figure out that something’s off with the wheel. However, exceptions exist!
The Innova Crysta has a Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) layout. Having a mis-fastened wheel on the live axle only makes things worse. The torque would make it loosen progressively. Plus, ministerial vehicles often travel at high speeds. This increases the risk further.
Interestingly, this is not the first time that Minister Saji Cherian has made headlines with an Innova Crysta-related incident. In 2023, he was seen trying to recover a Crysta that was stuck on sand!
In that case, it wasn’t his vehicle. It was issued to Chinta Jerome, a young politician and Chairperson of the Kerala State Youth Commission, by the State government. She had come to attend an ‘adalat’ in a coastal area.
After the event, the vehicle was found stuck on the sand, though it was unclear whether it had been parked there or driven onto the beach.
Minister Saji Cherian, who had also attended the event, stepped in to help. He got into the driver’s seat and reversed it, while security officials and the driver pushed it from the front. The minister clearly knew that this MPV had RWD.
Officials then increased the traction levels by aligning small rocks at the contact point of the tyres, and the minister then moves it forward, onto stiffer, more tractable paths. The Crysta was then handed over to Chinta.