The Hindu : 3 die as bus goes out of control

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 21, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

3 die as bus goes out of control

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI JULY 20 . A Metropolitan Transport Corporation bus today ploughed through a tea stall at the MMDA Colony junction on the Inner Ring Road here, killing three persons and injuring 12 others. The condition of two persons was said to be critical.

The driver lost control of the vehicle when he swerved to the left, attempting to go past a lorry, which took a turn into MMDA Colony from the Inner Ring Road, eyewitnesses said. The bus hit the stairs of a restaurant and ran over five bystanders near the adjoining tea stall. Ploughing through two-wheelers and bicycles parked in the area and the tea stall, the bus (route no. C 70 running between Red Hills and Guindy) came to a halt after ramming an Electricity Board junction box. While the two bystanders died on the spot, one of them died on way to hospital. The police identified the deceased as Vijay Mohan (36) of Ashok Nagar, Babu (50), an autorickshaw driver from Annai Sathya Nagar, Arumbakkam, and Satheesh Kumar (27) also of Arumbakkam. Murugan Kutty (35) and Saravanan (17) were admitted to the Government General Hospital. Of 40 passengers who travelled by the bus, 10 suffered minor injuries.

The driver, Ravi Kumar (37), who has 13 years of service, was arrested. The MTC Managing Director, C.T.Meyyappan, admitted that it was the driver's fault, but said the department would wait for a report before taking `strong departmental action' against him.

CM announces relief

The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, ordered a solatium of Rs. 50,000 each for the next of kin of those who died in the accident, from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Expressing distress at the accident, she directed that the two persons who suffered serious injuries be paid Rs. 15,000 each. The district administration and the Government General Hospital authorities had been asked to provide the best possible care for the injured, she said in a statement.

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