At least thirteen passengers sustained minor injuries after a private tourist bus carrying a group of pilgrims overturned on a national highway near Trichy in the early hours of Sunday. The incident has raised concerns about road safety during late-night travel.
Early Morning Accident on National Highway
The unfortunate event took place around 2:30 am on Sunday on the busy Trichy–Madurai National Highway. According to police reports, the bus was navigating the Mannarpuram junction when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle.
The bus, which was carrying approximately 55 tourists, including women and children, was on a pilgrimage route. It had embarked on a journey from Melmaruvathur near Chennai heading towards Rameshwaram. After the driver lost control, the vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a vacant area on the left side.
Rescue and Emergency Response
Following the overturn, a prompt rescue operation was initiated. With the crucial assistance of alert locals, the trapped passengers managed to break open the glass panes of the bus and evacuate themselves from the overturned vehicle.
Emergency services were quickly alerted. Ambulances from the 108 Emergency service rushed to the scene and transported all the injured individuals to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Trichy. Medical officials confirmed that all thirteen injured are receiving treatment for minor injuries and are reported to be in stable condition.
Investigation Underway
The local police have registered a case regarding the accident and have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause. Initial focus will likely be on factors such as driver fatigue, road conditions at the junction, and the speed of the vehicle. Such incidents highlight the critical need for heightened safety measures, especially for long-distance night journeys carrying large groups.
Authorities are examining all aspects of the event to prevent similar occurrences in the future on this vital highway corridor.
