Five pilgrims mowed down by load van on Tiruchy-Thanjavur NH
The accident occured when around 56 pilgrims hailing from Kannukudipatti near Gandharvakottai in Pudukottai district were going by foot to the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Tiruchirappalli district.
Accidental spot area (Maalaimalar)
CHENNAI: Five pilgrims were mowed down by a load van after its driver lost control at Sengipatti area on the Tiruchy-Thanjavur National Highway (NH).
The accident occured when around 56 pilgrims hailing from Kannukudipatti near Gandharvakottai in Pudukottai district were going by foot to the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Tiruchirappalli district.
While four devotees, identified as Mohanambal, Meena, Rani, and Muthusamy, died on the spot, another woman, Lakshmi, succumbed to injuries at Thanjavur Government Medical College Hospital.
The deceased worked as daily wage labourers
The condition of one more woman Sangeetha, who sustained grievous injuries in the accident, was stated to be critical.
Initial investigations revealed that the driver of the truck, who was returning to Karur after offloading rice bags in Thanjavur, dozed off, and the freight vehicle apparently lost control and ploughed into the devotees.
Sengipatti police have registered a case and arrested truck driver Sundararajan (38).
Further investigation is underway.
(with UNI inputs)
