Coimbatore

Police said that the 15 persons from Thamburetti tribal village in Bargur near Anthiyur were heading to Vattakadu to work in a farm.

While nearing ‘Maniachipallam,’ the vehicle lost control due to a suspected brake failure and capsized along the side of the road. A few motorists coming behind the ill-fated car immediately informed the 108 ambulances and sent the injured persons to hospital. The rescue operations were hindered as the mishap happened on the hill region.

Police said four persons identified as Devaraj, 45, Sikkannan, 42, Thottappi, 40 and Johan, 35, had died on the spot. Other injured persons were rushed to Bargur Primary Health Centre and to Anthiyur Government Hospital.

Eight persons who were taken to Anthiyur Government Hospital were then sent to Erode Government Hospital and private hospitals for further treatment. The injured were in the age of 22 to 50 years.

Preliminary inquiries by police revealed that the vehicle met with the mishap as it developed a mechanical default due to overloading. “Even the four persons died as they were crushed by others inside the car when it toppled on the Ghat section. The life loss could have been more if the vehicle had rolled down the steep gorge,” said a policeman. The Bargur police have registered a case and further inquiries are on.

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