Three persons, including the driver of a State-run bus, were killed and five others injured when the bus rammed into a sand-laden lorry on the Dindigul-Madurai Highway near Vadipatti early Friday morning.
While the bus driver, P.Kannadi (37), and an unidentified male passenger were killed on the spot, another passenger, S.Selvam (44) of Vidathakulam near Tirumangalam, succumbed to injuries at the Government Rajaji Hospital here, where all the injured have been admitted.
The front portion of the bus was severely damaged in the impact.
Initial reports said the bus driver had failed to notice the stationary lorry and hit it at around 3.40 a.m. However, Vadipatti Inspector of Police C.Sivasankaran said the lorry driver, Natajaran, had suddenly slowed down giving little time for Kannadi to apply brake or avoid hitting the vehicle.
“Natarajan sustained injuries on his thigh and hands,” the Inspector said.
While the bus was proceeding to Madurai from Salem, the lorry was going to Kovilpatti from Karur.
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