Five killed in gruesome road accident near Thanjavur

Around 25 people of Thalampatti village in Thanjavur district returning to their village in a load van from Aranthangi after attending a wedding at 6.30 pm on Monday evening. A tractor going to Gandharvakkottai from Kurunkulam sugar factory, collided head-on with the van near Pudunagar branch road in Pudukkottai-Thanjavur National Highway.

The van tipped due to the impact and the occupants were trapped and were screaming for help. The onlookers rushed to the spot, carried out rescue operation and alerted 108 ambulance service. Four travellers succumbed to severe head injuries. The deceased have been identified as R Kaviyarasan (15), R Mahendran (15), A Marimuthu (30), K Ramarajan (35) and Sanjeevi (30), all hailing from Thalampatti in Thanjavur district.

Ten other travellers including three women sustained injuries. They were rushed to Thanjavur Medical College Hospital (TMCH) for treatment. Police personnel from Gandharvakkottai police station sent the bodies for post-mortem to Thanjavur GH. A case has been registered at Gandharvakkottai police station. Further investigations are on.