The driver of a van and two other occupants had a miraculous escape when the vehicle, after running over the cut trunk of a coconut tree which fell from a tractor, climbed on the footpath of the Pamban road bridge and came to a halt after dashing against the parapet.
Muniaraj (32) of Rameswaram was coming from Chennai in the van after receiving his brother Muthupandi (27), who had returned from abroad, at the airport when the mishap occurred around 7.30 p.m., police said. All the three escaped unhurt, the police added.
Driver lost control
Pamban Sub-Inspector of Police K. Silaimani, who rushed to the spot within minutes, said the van driver, Mohandoss (32) lost control of the vehicle after running over the coconut tree trunk.
The van was proceeding towards Rameswaram and the tractor was coming from the Pamban side, he said, adding the accident occurred about 200 metres on the bridge from the Mandapam side.
The parapet was damaged for about seven feet, he said.
Soon after the accident, the police removed the van and ensured traffic was not affected on the bridge, he said.
An Assistant Engineer from the National Highways inspected the damaged portion of the parapet, Mr. Silaimani added.