14 killed in bus smash near Tiruchy

TIRUCHY: A pall of gloom descended over Kovilpatti near Manapparai about 45 km from here on Monday after a TNSTC local bus rammed a private bus in which 14 persons, including eight women and three kids, died on the spot, while about 25 passengers were seriously injured. According to eyewitnesses, the accident occurred when the government bus from Manapparai to Eluppur, which was carrying over 50 passengers, was approaching the Madurai-Tiruchy highway around 12.45 pm at Ilanchamedu Kaikatti.TNSTC bus driver P Krishnan (35) of Alathur was driving on the wrong lane of the one-way road when the private bus from Puducherry to Madurai was approaching the road. The government bus rammed the private vehicle, which was dragged along the road  for about 200 metres in the impact. The bus was completely damaged and most of the passengers were trapped inside. Krishnan, conductor Devadas (35) of Pothamettupatti, passengers K Vijayarani (37) of Oothukuzhi, K Vinod Kumar (18 months), R Pappu (60), V Kavya (18 months), M Meenakshi (48), T Vijayalakshmi (40), R Rajamani Achi (56), K Sooryagandhi, K Ayyappan, S Pottu and the private bus driver N Kannan of Kuthalam died on the spot.Residents said local bus drivers, particularly on the Manapparai-Eluppur (3C) route, to save fuel and cut the 2 km distance through Oothukuzhi, travel on the wrong lane regularly.A solatium of Rs 1 lakh each  has been granted to the families of those killed in the accident by Chief Minister  J Jayalalithaa.