Four killed on spot as mini truck rams lorry in Salem

The deceased persons were identified as Sadiq Badsha (40) from Kanjanaikanpatty near Omalur, his son Rahmad Basha (17), a Class 10 student, and two daily wagers -- Balu (35) and Ramesh (26) -- from Ambedkar Nagar.

The police said that Sadiq, who runs a beef stall, bought a cow from a cattle shandy in Omalur and was returning on a mini truck with his son and two others when the incident happened around 12.30am on Sunday. While passing Kandampatty flyover, the mini truck driven by Sadiq rammed the rear end of a tanker lorry in front of them.

Following this, another speeding lorry crashed into the mini truck from behind. In the impact, the mini truck was completely mangled, killing the boy and two daily wagers in the vehicle on the spot.

On information, the Suramangalam police rushed to the spot and sent Sadiq to Salem Government Hospital. As his condition was critical, he died at the hospital without responding to treatments.

The bodies of the deceased were sent for a post mortem examination to Salem GH. The mangled remains of the mini truck and other vehicles were removed by engaging earth movers. The police added that the cow in the truck was also severely injured in the accident. It was rescued and is now being treated by veterinarians.

The Suramangalam police have registered a case and are on the lookout for the lorry driver, who is on the run. Further investigations are on.