Madurai: In a freak accident, four persons were crushed to death as they were trapped inside a roadside shed that caved in after a truck hit it at V. Perumalpatti near Usilampatti on Thursday afternoon.
The deceased were M. Velmurugan (40), V. Chinnakalai (65), S. Chellaiah (72) and S. Mari (60).
M. Pinnathevar (55), who was injured in the accident, was rushed to Government Rajaji Hospital here. Another person, Ammasi, who tried to retrieve the victims from under the debris was injured when a log fell on his head. He is also admitted to the GRH.
Superintendent of Police Vijayendra Bidari rushed to the spot and made preliminary enquiries.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Usilampatti) S. Ramakrishnan said the truck hit the shed of the public utility space (chavadi) located along a curve on Peraiyur Road junction around 2.45 pm. The rear end of the vehicle hit the protruding tin roof of the shed and pulled it. In the impact, one of the pillars fell down, bringing the entire shed crashing down.
The victims were relaxing inside the 40-year-old shed when the accident took place.
The truck driver, V. Bose (52) of Mamarathupatti, surrendered before the police.
Usilampatti Town police are investigating.
