Three persons, including a woman, were killed when an old tree fell on a group of tourists who were enjoying the beauty of Vattakanal Falls near here on Monday.
The deceased were identified as K. Surekha (36), professor of a college in Bengaluru, V. Vinodh (27), a marine engineer from Chennai, and Ilango (48) from Vadalur near Kurinjipadi in Cuddalore district.
Keerthana, Mary and Vijayalakshmi, all nursing students from Vadalur, escaped with minor injuries.
Ilango, who accompanied the nursing students, died on the way to Theni Government Medical College Hospital. The bodies were sent to Kodaikanal Government Hospital for post-mortem.
Surekha had come to Kodaikanal with her husband and two children on vacation.
Vinodh, who got married six months ago, had come with his brother and parents to the hill station. Both died in the presence of their relatives.
On hearing about the tragedy, local people rushed to the spot and assisted the police in rescuing the tourists.
Heavy flow in Vattakanal Falls has been attracting a large number of tourists this season.
Despite a ban on entry into the falls site, tourists jump over the fence to pose for photographs with the cascading waters in the background. The Forest Department does not take steps to thwart tourists from entering the falls area. Even if a forest employee is present, he just gives a cursory caution to the visitors and leaves the place, sources said.
After the Monday tragedy, the forest department has posted a guard and plans to erect a sturdy fence covering the entire falls area on Tuesday.
