Chennai: Two persons were killed in a bizarre accident after a State—run bus plunged down from a height of 50 ft while negotiating a curve on a flyover in Thevariyampakkam in neighbouring Kancheepuram on Sunday night. The incident also left 35 persons injured.
The Tambaram-bound route 79 bus of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) began its journey from Kancheepuram bus stand around 9.30 pm. When the bus was moving on the flyover in Thevariyampakkam at around 10.45 pm, it ran over the parapet of the flyover and plunged down 50 ft below to the ground after failing to negotiate the curve on the flyover.
In the impact, J. Bhagyamalar (33) died on the spot.
The noise of the bus tumbing to the ground drew the attention of villagers who rushed to the scene to help the injured passengers. The police control room and 108 ambulance services were soon informed about the incident.
Even before the paramedics and cops arrived, the villagers began moving into the bus and taking the passengers out. The bus was carrying 37 passengers including the TNSTC crew of driver Mohandass (50), who is a resident of Tambaram and conductor Shanmugam (40), resident of Maraimalai Nagar.
As information was passed to the Kancheepuram Collector, R. Gajalakshmi and Superintendent of Police, R. Ponni, both came to review the rescue process.
The injured were rushed to Chengelpet Government Hospital where the doctors decided 2 persons required further medical care and referred them to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in the City.
The patients referred to GH were G. Arul (24) of Vellore and S. Ravikumar (49) of Selaiyur. The latter succumbed to injuries before he could be moved while the other was shifted to the city.
The driver told Oragadam police that both the steering wheel and the brakes failed when he attempted to stop the bus. His claim will be verified with the help of a motor vehicle inspector
