7, including family of 4, killed as buses collide near Salem

Police said, a private bus from Salem was proceeding towards Krishnagiri with 40 passengers at 1.30 am. Thirty minutes later, near Mamangam, Salem-Bangalore bypass, the speeding bus hit a stationary van loaded with flowers.

The impact was such that it crashed into the median and collided with an omni bus coming from the opposite direction, bound from Bangalore to Kochi.

Though the private bus came to a standstill, the omni bus turned turtle, crushing seven people to death while 40 passengers from both buses were injuries.

The deceased are Jim Jacob (52), Kottayam, Shanu Tharian (32), Alappuzha, Mansi Joseph (60), Thrissur, his wife Alphonsa (55), son Siji Vincent (32), Siji’s wife Tinu Mary (28) and another male who is yet to be identified. The bodies were sent to Salem GH while the injured were rushed to private hospitals. Ten of the injured are critical. Salem Collector Rohini and CoP Sankar visited the spot.

A three-year old boy, who survived the mishap, lost his parents- Siji Vincent and Tinu Mary, grandparents- Mansi Joseph and Alphonsa. Witnesses said he was searching for his family among the injured and the moment he spotted his mother, began to wail. The inconsolable child was later handed over to Tinu Mary’s sister.