Death toll in Ariyalur accident rises to 13

The death toll in Friday’s bus-lorry collision at Ottakoil in Ariyalur district has risen to 13 with two more succumbing to injuries. An eight-month-old male child - I. Abinesh - and I. Ilavarasan (21) who were undergoing treatment at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital succumbed to injuries on Saturday. The child’s mother I. Shanthi had succumbed to injuries on Friday night.

Police sources said the number of injured presently undergoing treatment at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital was 13, while those admitted in the Ariyalur Government Hospital were 12.

Consequent to the accident, the Ariyalur police has named the lorry driver - Rajavel - as the accused. The Ariyalur Police has registered a case under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 304 –A IPC. Rajavel was one among the injured in the deadly collision that snuffed out lives of 11 bus passengers, including a six-year-old girl on Friday evening on the Ariyalur – Sendhurai by-pass road.

As the casualty figures were above three, the investigation would be done by an officer in the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police. The Jayamkondam Deputy Superintendent of Police, who is presently in-charge of Ariyalur sub division, will investigate the fatal accident case, police sources said.

On Friday night, post mortem were conducted on 10 bodies at the Ariyalur Government Hospital and handed over to their near ones. The sources said post mortem on three other bodies including that of the male baby were done at the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital on Saturday. Superintendent of Police, Ariyalur Ziaul Haque said the accident occurred purely due to human fault. The visibility was clear on the Ariyalur – Sendhurai road at the time of occurrence.

Following instances of accidents getting reported, the Ariyalur Police has planned to install surveillance cameras at two points – one the Sendhurai By pass from where four roads branch off and the other at Keelapalur Junction from where three roads diversify. The cameras would be installed soon to enable the police to identify the type of vehicle that had caused the accident, he said.