Seven persons, including three women, were killed and more than 40 sustained injuries when the mini-lorry in which they were travelling turned upside down near Ongappadi in the Veppankuppam police station limits at 1 p.m. on Thursday.
Police said nearly 60 persons — all residents of Pallalakuppam near Gudiyatham — were travelling in the mini-lorry from their village to Varadhalampattu to attend a funeral.
Village Administrative Officer in-charge for Ongappadi K. Yuvaraj, who is the complainant in the case, said the driver lost control leading to the vehicle’s overturn.
“There were nearly 60 persons travelling in the vehicle. The road is used for one-way traffic and is narrow. The roadside is two-feet deep. It was raining and the vehicle turned upside down after the driver lost control,” he said.
As the vehicle turned turtle, people fell on each other, leading to suffocation. Five persons were killed on the spot, while two died of their injuries on the way to the Government Vellore Medical College (GVMC) Hospital.
The deceased were identified as Chakravarthy (50), Rajammal (50), Kuppan (65), Sampoornam (60) and Samikannu (50). While Anumuthu (50) was declared brought dead at the hospital, Rukmani (45) died after admission.
Officials of the GVMC said a total of 45 persons have been admitted with minor injuries. A few had scalp injuries.
108 ambulances from Anaicut, Veppankuppam, Pallikonda, Gudiyatham, Sathuvachari, Bagayam and Peenjamanthai reached the spot to rescue the injured.
Collector R. Nanthagopal visited the injured at the hospital and inspected the accident spot.
He warned drivers of goods vehicles of stringent action if people are allowed to travel on them. The Collector said in a release that people travelled in goods carriers for attending marriages, funerals and festivals. This is despite the authorities creating awareness of the dangers of such reckless travel. The practice continued despite warnings through regular checks on vehicles, imposition of fine and registration of case.
If drivers took passengers more than the permitted number as per the vehicle permit in goods vehicles, it amounted to violation of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules. Heavy fine was being imposed on such violators, he said.
