Five from Vellore killed as mini bus plunges into 50-foot gorge near Kotagiri

According to the police, the incident took place near Keelsattapallyam close to Kotagiri town. The police said that 25 persons had gone to The Nilgiris for the summer vacation. When they reached near Keelsattapallam the mini bus went off the roads, fell into a 50-foot deep gorge and turned turtle.

In the impact, three persons – Shankaran (50), Baskaran (42) and Mallika (67) – died on the spot. Panneer Selvam (43) died on way to the Mettupalayam Government Hospital. Meanwhile, Saroja (50), who was taken to the same hospital, was referred to the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital as her nature of injuries was severe. But, she died on the way. 

The police and Fire and Rescue Service department personnel carried out rescue operations for more than 12 hours. They moved the other injured passengers to safety. 

The passengers, who were rescued, were identified as Manojkumar (12), Sam Jayaraj (15), Sharika (11), Usha (45), Kamala (32), Gopi (36), Veeramani (34), Karpukarasi (32), Magesh (15), Charles (30) and Vijayalakshmi (40). They were getting treated at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. 

The Kotagiri Police registered a case against the van driver Charles of Vellore under section 304(A) (causing death due to negligence) and other sections of the Indian Penal Code. 

During inquiry, the police came to know that Charles drove the mini bus at a moderate speed, but he lost control of the vehicle near a hair-pin bend. As a result, the mini bus hit the side wall and fell into a gorge. Luckily, the vehicle stopped after getting stuck into a tree. 

Police sources said that a few passengers were thrown off the mini bus in the impact of the fall and they were the ones who got killed. Those who were stuck inside the vehicle escaped with injuries.