In a road accident, five pilgrims from Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, were killed, three of them on the spot, and four others were injured when their SUV collided head-on with an APSRTC bus at Dhaba centre, 2 km from Palamaner town in the early hours of Saturday.
According to Palamaner police, two couples, both masonry workers, and their children were going to Tirumala, and after entering Palamaner limits around 1 a.m., the vehicle took the wrong side and was proceeding towards Bangalore, instead of Chittoor road. The driver while overtaking a lorry and an SUV, rammed the RTC bus.
The deceased were identified as Madhu, 38, his wife Malli, 30, their son Anbhu, 12, driver Simbhu, 30, who were killed on the spot, and Siva Kumar, 40, Baby, 12, died at a Chennai hospital on Saturday evening.
Siva Kumar’s wife Sheela, and three other children survived with serious injuries.
Madhu’s family hails from Karamangalam village of Palakkud taluq of Dharmapuri district, while that of Siva Kumar’s is from Pannambatti of Halur taluq of the same district.
Their relatives were informed about the tragedy. A case was registered.
