Two women were killed and 16 persons injured when the van in which they were travelling rammed a granite-laden lorry in the wee hours on Monday near Krishnagiri.
Police said the accident took place when a group of 18 pilgrims from Hosaghatta in Bangalore was returning after worshipping at the Melmaruvathur Aadhi Parasakthi Amman Temple near Melumalai on the Krishnagiri-Bangalore National Highway.
It is suspected that the driver of the van lost control and rammed the granite-laden tipper lorry from behind. The driver N. Murali (30), however, jumped out of the van before the crash and escaped with injuries.
The dead were identified as U. Padmavathi (42) and G. Jayamma (50). All the injured were first admitted to the Government Hospital in Krishangiri.
Later, nine persons were taken to a private hospital in Bangalore. Of them, the condition of N. Lakshmi Ammal (63) and N. Gengamma (65) is said to be critical. Kurubarapalli police have registered a case under section 304 A (causing death by negligence) and are investigating.
