Two students of Alagappa Government Arts College were crushed to death and 13 others, including two staff members suffered injuries, when the van, in which they were returning after a study tour, rammed into a lorry at Aavudai Pothigai, near here on Saturday night.
Police said 46 students, including 27 girls, of second year Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) had gone on a study tour to Thanjavur. They were returning in two vans when the mishap occurred at the Aavudai Pothigai – Soorakudi bypass road. S. Dinesh (18) from Kazhanivasal died on the spot, while Saravanakumar (18) from Sivagangai died while being taken to the government hospital. All the other students, two faculties and the van driver were admitted to private and government hospitals here.
Police said the van driver tried to overtake a tiles laden lorry and rammed into it after losing control. The left portion of the van was found ripped apart in the impact, police said. The Kundrakudi police have registered a case and are investigating.
The students had gone to Thanjavur in a Karaikudi based private bus. They were to return after visiting the Brihadeeswarar temple when the local Regional Transport Officer seized the bus for want of tour permit. After detaining the bus, the RTO had arranged two vans for the return journey. While 26 girls and two faculties travelled in one van, the boys and two faculties travelled in the ill-fated van, police said.
