1 dead, 11 hurt as bus rams trailer near Melmaruvathur

CHENNAI: One person died and 11 others were injured when the bus in which they were travelling rammed a parked container lorry near Melmaruvathur on the Chennai-Trichy national highway on Wednesday afternoon.
Police identified the dead passenger as Rashik Basha, 62.
Police said bus was on its way to Cuddalore from Koyambedu and was near Sirunagalur village in Acharapakkam Taluk around noon when the driver lost control and rammed the container lorry.A police official said over speeding caused the accident.
Villagers and passersby rescued the victims from the mangled remains of the bus. The fire and rescue services personnel were summoned to cut open the badly mangled bus. Cranes and earth moving equipment were also pressed into service to remove the wreck.
The Melmaruvathur police rushed to the spot and helped in rushing the injured to the Madurantakam Government Hospital. Bus driver Shivamani, 42, who was seriously injured is being treated at the Chengelpet government hospital.
Traffic on the arterial highway was affected for over two hours as a huge crowd gathered at the spot making rescue operations for the police tough. Witnesses told police that the bus was over speeding and swerved to the left side of the road and the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The Melmaruvathur police have registered a case and are investigating.