Nine persons were killed and 15 injured when a mini goods carrier in which they were travelling toppled after climbing a median on Sunday on Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway in Kancheepuram district.
The victims, belonging to Sirunaimalli village of Nemili taluk in Vellore district, were on the way to Thamal to attend the funeral of 30-year-old Nalini, wife of Devanmani, Ambedkar Nagar, who had died of burns at the Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Chennai, on Saturday.
Nalini had reportedly sustained burns in a fire at her home three days ago and was referred to the hospital in Chennai by the Baluchetty Chatram police.
After learning about Nalini’s death, her relatives and family friends, led by Shanmugam, 65, and Perumal, 58, decided to attend her funeral at Thamal and started from their village on Sunday. Twenty three persons — 18 women, three men and two children — were travelling in the vehicle.
The accident occurred around 3 p.m., when Muthu, who was driving the vehicle, attempted to take a short-cut and take a left turn to enter the Ambedkar Nagar by jumping the median instead of taking a U-turn. After the vehicle climbed the median, he lost control of the vehicle which slid back. An empty private vehicle bound for Chennai hit it from behind. In the impact, the mini-goods carrier hit a notice board and toppled. Seven women and a man died on the spot. All the injured were rushed to the District Government Headquarters Hospital here where Chinnaponnu, 65, died of injuries.
Deceased identified
The names of the dead were given as Parimalam, 45, Panchami, 50, Thulukkanam, 50, Muthammal, 50, Rajikanni, 50, Indira, 40, Sumithra, 45, and Alavattan, 50. Of the 15 injured, 12 persons, including Muthu, and a three-and-a-half-year-old Varshini have been admitted to the District Government Headquarters Hospital. Three persons were referred to Chennai.
Radhika, 35, and Kannagi, 45, have been referred to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai. Two-year-old Stalin was referred to the Institute of Child Health, Egmore.
The police are on the lookout for the driver of the private vehicle.
