2 Andhra Pradesh pilgrims die as van rams lorry

The deceased were identified as Rama Anjaneyalu (31) and Rahul (8). All the victims hail from a village in Andhra Pradesh and they had begun their journey to Sabarimala a week ago in a mini van. After the darshan, the pilgrims went to Rameswaram on Saturday and were returning home when the tragedy occurred.

Around 4 am, when the vehicle was nearing Gummidipoondi on Chennai-Kolkata National Highway, the driver Durgaprasad lost control and rammed a lorry parked on the roadside. They were rushed to the Gummipoondi GH and later shifted to Sulurpetta GH in Andhra Pradesh. 

In another accident, a 28-year-old private firm employee was fatally knocked down by a car on Pantheon Road late on Sunday night. The deceased Idhayachandran was travelling on his two-wheeler along Pantheon flyover when a car hit him from behind. With severe head injuries, Idhayachandran was declared brought dead at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. Ashok Kumar (53), who drove the car, has been arrested. 

Police said that Ashok Kumar runs a textile shop on Ritherdon Road, while the victim worked at Airtel’s Nungambakkam office. Idhayachandran is son of Special Sub-Inspector Ramachandran, who has been posted to Valasaravakkam police station.