Mini-lorry rolls down gorge, 5 tribals killed

According to the police, 18 villagers from a few tribal settlements near Kadamparai hydroelectric power plant in Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) were returning in a mini lorry after purchasing vegetables and groceries from a market at Kottur, when the accident took place.

“They took their farm produces for sale in the market and were returning with weekly purchases. On reaching ninth hairpin bend, the driver V Rajan (40), from Kurumalai lost control and the mini lorry toppled into a gorge around 11pm,” police said.

In the impact of the mishap, five persons identified as S Vellaiyan (45), his wife V Selvi (32), J Mallappan (36), P Raman (45) and K Thannasi (34), all hailing from Kurumalai, Mavadappu, Kulipatti and Kattupatty tribal hamlets died on the spot.

Twelve others including eight women and four men suffered injuries. Of them, nine persons were admitted at Pollachi Government Hospital, while three others with serious injuries were taken to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital (CMCH) for treatment.

Police said ten-year-old V Rajkumar, escaped without injuries, but lost both his parents, Vellaiyan and Selvi in the mishap. 

The Kadamparai police registered a case. Inquiries revealed that V Rajan, the driver of the vehicle, did not have a driving license. He is also undergoing treatment for injuries in the hospital. The bodies of the deceased persons were sent for a post-mortem at Pollachi GH.