Coimbatore: The State of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are mourning the death of 20 passengers of a KSRTC bus which met with an accident on Thursday morning near Avinashi in Tirupur district.
Coimbatore: The State of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are mourning the death of 20 passengers of a KSRTC bus which met with an accident on Thursday morning near Avinashi in Tirupur district.
Reports have emerged that Hemaraj, the driver of the container who allegedly caused the accident and fled the spot has been arrested.
Addressing the Press, Tirupur District Collector K Vijaya Karthikeyan said, "The post mortems were conducted without any delays and the bodies were sent to Kerala. The driver, Hemanth Raj, who allegedly caused the accident, has been arrested and is being investigated. Initial reports reveal that the lorry lost control following a tyre burst. The officials from transport department and police are probing the issue."
The KSRTC bus from Bangalore to Ernakulam met with an accident on the Coimbatore- Salem Highway, near Avinashi. The container lorry carrying tiles to Salem, rammed into the bus, killing 20 passengers including 6 women, on the spot and injuring 25 passengers.
Kerala Agriculture Minister Sunil Kumar, Transport Minister Suseendran, MP's and MLA's arrived to the Tirupur government hospital were the bodies were kept.
Speaking to the Press, Minister Sunil Kumar said, "The swift action by the Tirupur district administration was appreciable. Immediate intervention in rescue operations has played a major role in reducing the fatalities."
Commenting on the issue, Minister Suseendran said, "A solatium of Rs.10 lakhs has been announced for the deceased victims. Of which Rs.2 lakhs will be paid immediately and the rest will be disbursed in the next phase. The two Kerala Government bus drivers who died in the accident will receive Rs. 30 lakhs insurance on behalf of the Transport Department."