A tragic road accident in Tamil Nadu claimed seven lives on Wednesday after a state-run bus, suffering a sudden tyre burst, swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with two private vehicles.
The Sequence of Events
The incident occurred on the national highway near Tiruchirappalli. A Chennai-bound government bus, originating from Tiruchirappalli, was proceeding on its route when one of its tyres burst unexpectedly. This caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The bus first mounted the road median and then careened into the opposite lane, directly into the path of vehicles travelling from Chennai towards Tiruchirappalli.
Head-On Collision and Fatalities
The out-of-control bus collided head-on with two private vehicles – a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and a car. The impact of the collision was severe.
A district police official confirmed to PTI that all seven occupants inside the two private vehicles were killed in the crash. The official also added that a number of other people sustained injuries in the accident.
Aftermath and Investigation
Emergency services rushed to the spot. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Police have launched an investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident.
Initial reports point to the tyre burst as the primary cause that led the bus to change direction violently and cross into the opposing traffic lane, resulting in the fatal collision. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety and vehicle maintenance on India's national highways.
