MADURAI: Six persons, including two children, were killed in an accident, which occurred at Sivarakottai near Thirumangalam on Madurai-Tirunelveli bypass road in Madurai on Wednesday.
The deceased have been identified as Pandi (40) of Nilaiyur, Kanagavel (61), Krishnakumari (55), Nagajothi(28), Siva Aadhmika (7) and Sivashree (7). The injured victims are car driver K Manikandan (31) and his son Shiva Adik (10).
Two others were injured and rushed to the Thirumangalam government hospital. The fatal accident occurred at around 6.30 am, when the car suddenly skidded off the highway after the driver lost control, sources said.
The victims, who belong to Madurai, were returning home from Tirunelveli after taking part in a temple festival last night. Vehicular traffic was disrupted until the accident site was cleared.
Madurai Superintendent of Police BK Arvind inspected the accident site and held enquiries. “It’s unfortunate that the car driver, who could have fallen asleep, initially hit a fruit vendor, who was riding a bike from behind. Subsequently, the car sped out of control, dashing over the road median and tossed away on the other side of the highway,” he said.
Pandi, the fruit vendor, succumbed to his injuries on the spot. Based on a complaint preferred by a relative of the fruit vendor, Kalligudi police have filed a case.