A State-run bus went up in flames after hitting a two-wheeler that was lying on the Dindigul-Madurai highway after it skidded at Vadipatti near Madurai in the early hours of Sunday. No causality were reported, the police said.
The bus was proceeding towards Ramanathapuram from Erode when the accident occurred at around 2.10 a.m. Over 50 passengers and the bus crew ran to their safety after the bus caught fire.
A police officer said that two masons, R. Jebastineraj (30) and M. Pradeesh (24) of Kanyakumari district were riding on a motorbike on their way home from Kodaikanal. The duo had fallen down after the vehicle skidded on the middle of four-way highway. The injured had managed to move away to a safe distance while leaving the motorbike on the road.
The driver of the speeding bus, without noticing the motorbike, lying on the road, hit it. The bike got stuck in the under-chasis of the bus and fire broke out after the two-wheeler was dragged for over 50 metres.
Alerted by the driver and the conductor, the passengers, who were sleeping in the bus, came running out fearing for life. Many had no time to take their belongings.
The bus was completely gutted along with the motorbike.
The Vadipatti police are investigating. The injured masons have been admitted to the Government Rajaji hospital in Madurai.
