Car catches fire after hitting lorry; 1 dead, 7 rescued in critical condition

Sources said that a lorry from Madurai carrying a load of grapes had delivered a portion of the consignment at Theni and was heading to Cumbum. When the lorry neared Upparapatti post, the lorry collided with a car in which 8 persons were on board. All the eight got trapped inside. 

In an unexpected development, due to the impact of the collision, the car caught fire triggering tension in the area. Locals tried to put out the fire, but in vain. 

On information, fire and rescue services personnel from Theni came to the spot. After battling for some time, the personnel managed to put out the flames. 

Then they pulled out those trapped inside the car one after the other. While seven of them were in a critical condition, one had already died by the time he was pulled out of the car. 

The injured seven were immediately rushed to Theni Government Medical College Hospital. As the condition of three persons were serious they were shifted to Madurai GRH. As the survivors were in a critical condition and their identity cards were also burnt in the accident, the identity of the victims could not be ascertained immediately. Veerapandi Police have registered a case and are investigating. 

Over 10 students of a private engineering and polytechnic colleges sustained injuries after the college bus in which they were travelling fell into a pit near Panakudi in Tirunelveli district, on Monday. 

The bus, with more than 20 students, had started from Valliyoor in the morning and was proceeding to the institutions at Vadakankulam. When the bus was nearing Panakudi, driver Peter while trying to avoid hitting a motorist swerved to the left. But, the vehicle went out of control, jumped off the road and fell into a pit before coming to a halt. 

On hearing the screams of the students, villagers and passers-by rushed to the spot and rescued the students. Over 10 students, who suffered injuries, were rushed to the Valliyoor GH. 

Fortunately, there were no casualties. Panakudi Police have registered a case and are investigating.