A head-on collision between a private omni bus and a van killed six people who came to attend the rituals of a recently deceased relative in Salem on Tuesday. One person is said be critical..
According to the police, A. Rajesh (29) of Komarapalayam in Namakkal district came to Leigh Bazaar in Attur to attend the rituals of his recently deceased relative Arumugam on Monday night. At midnight, around 1 a.m., Rajesh, along with his relatives (10 members), headed to a tea shop on the Salem-Chennai National Highway in a van, and Rajesh drove the vehicle..
When they reached a flyover near a private school at Thulukanur, an omni bus, which came from the opposite direction, collided with the car.
All the 11 people in the van sustained grievous injuries and five members, Rajesh, A. Ramya (25) of Komarapalayam, S. Saranya (23), S. Suganya (27), M. Santhiya (23) of Mullaivadi near Attur in Salem district died on the spot, and S. Dhanshika (11) died on the way to the hospital.
The Attur police, with the help of local residents, admitted P. Periannan (38), H. Bhuvaneswari (17), S. Krishnaveni (45), S. Udhayakumar (17) and M. Sudha (35) to Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital.
Of the five people admitted to the hospital, the condition of Periannan is said to be critical. Attur Town police registered a case and are investigating.
On Tuesday morning, District Collector S. Karmegam, along with R. Rajendran, MLA, went to Salem Government Hospital and inquired with the injured persons and doctors about the treatment provided to them. Later, the Collector, District Superintendent of Police (SP) M. Sree Abhinav and other officials inspected the accident spot. The Collector instructed the Highway Department and police officials to take more precautionary measures to prevent accidents on the highway.
Speaking to reporters, Collector S. Karmegam said investigations are going on regarding the accident. Steps will be taken to get solatium to the deceased kins from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
