COIMBATORE: The driver of a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus was killed, and at least ten passengers were injured after it rammed into a lorry near Uthukuli in Tirupur on Wednesday.

The sleeper coach bus, driven by Naniyurdasamy (50) of Mysuru, was bound to Kerala from Bengaluru with over 40 passengers. While nearing Chengapalli, the bus rammed into a moving lorry laden with cement bags in the early morning hours.

The front portion of the bus was completely crushed, and on hearing the screams of passengers, residents rushed to the spot and rescued them. The driver died on impact.

The injured passengers were immediately rushed to Tirupur GH for treatment. Police suspect the bus driver of having dozed off at the wheel. The Uthukuli police have registered a case and are investigating to establish the cause of the mishap.