Nine persons died and three others injured in an accident that occurred near the Thappathi refugees’ camp on Madurai by-pass road early Monday, around 1.30 a.m.
The victims were four men, four women, and a baby. While eight passengers were killed on spot, the other person died on way to hospital.
According to police, a van, in which they were travelling broke down after a rear tyre burst. Subsequently some passengers alighted and others were seated inside the vehicle when the accident occurred. A coal-laden truck hit the stationary vehicle from behind causing the major fatal accident. They were returning to Irukkankudi after attending a function at Sevalkulam, Ottapidaram taluk, sources said.
The deceased , who belonged to Irukkankudi, were identified as B. Vetrivel (25), E. Mariselvam (20), Saravanakumari (22) wife of Balamurugan, M. Sappani alias Mari Selvam (40), Deepa (25), wife of Paulraj, P. Puthiyavaraja (1), Rajalakshmi (35), wife of Kuttiyan, R. Kamalammal (35) and R. Mahendran alias Kutty (20), who died on the way to hospital. The injured were S. Ramakrishnan (55), Petchiammal (30) wife of Viji and R. Balamurugan (20), van driver. They were admitted to Arupukottai Government Hospital initially and referred to Rajaji Government Hospital, Madurai.
Masarpatti police have secured the truck driver, P. Mari Mahesh (29) of Panaiyankurichi, Ambasamudram and S. Ramesh (28), the cleaner. A case is yet to be filed.
