BMW report confirms Mini Cooper was speeding at 162 kmph before Kochi crash

BMW's technical inspection found the Mini Cooper was travelling at 162 kmph five seconds before the Kochi crash that killed three scooter riders. The crash data provides scientific evidence as police investigate the driver's conduct and alleged abetment by his friends.

In Short

• Brakes were applied only one second before the scooter collision
• Vehicle speed had dropped to 144 kmph just before impact
• CCTV showed the luxury car covering 500 metres in 11 seconds

BMW's inspection of a Mini Cooper that killed three scooter riders near Kochi last month found that the car was travelling at 162 kmph five seconds before the crash, police said on Thursday.

The car's crash data showed that the driver and main accused, Suhail, applied the brakes about one second before hitting the scooter. The vehicle was then travelling at 144 kmph, police said.

Police told PTI that BMW's technical inspection had confirmed their conclusion, based on CCTV footage, that the car was speeding. Investigators found from the footage that the luxury car covered 500 metres in 11 seconds.

BMW India submitted its report on Thursday after examining data from the car's Advanced Crash Safety Module, which records information related to a collision, police said in a statement.

Police said the report was crucial evidence as it provided a scientific basis for the investigation team's findings.

The investigation into the circumstances of the crash, the car's speed, the driver's actions immediately before the collision and the role of the other accused is continuing.

Aluva Deputy Superintendent of Police Baiju Paulose is leading the investigation under the supervision of District Police Chief KS Sudarshan.

Two women and a man, all aged around 21, were killed when the Mini Cooper rammed into their scooter at Nedumbassery near Kochi in the early hours of October 11.

According to police, Suhail was driving the car and was drunk. He is the first accused in the case. His friends Ninav, Ameer and Joel have also been named as accused for allegedly abetting the offence.

All four are in judicial custody as police continue to investigate the crash, with BMW's analysis supporting their finding that the car was speeding before it hit the scooter.

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