Nine Killed 12 Injured in Van-Truck Collision

Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, Apr 29 (UNI) In a gruesome road accident, nine people, including two catholic nuns and a marine scientist, were killed and 12 others injured in a head-on collision involving a van and a lorry at Vagaikulam near Nanguneri in the district, today evening.

The victims and the nine of the injured were returning in the van from Palayamkottai after attending the silver jubilee celebrations of a nun when the speeding lorry from Nagercoil hit the vehicle, police said.

While seven victims died on the spot, two others succumbed to injuries at the hospital in Nagercoil.

One of the deceased, Dr Peter Marion, Director Centre for Marine Sciences, an extension Centre of the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University here, was the brother of the celebrant of the silver jubilee.

The identity of six others who died on the spot has been established. Maria John (57), a surveyor, Maria John (52), a teacher, Rev Sr. Thanga Leela (35), Rev Sr. Jerome Lily (75), Theresammal (60) and the van driver, Selvaraj.

The nun, whose silver jubilee celebration of the final vows on entering for Dr Peter Marion Police were yet to ascertain the identity of the two, who died at the Nagercoil hospital, since their relatives were awaited.

The injured, including the lorry driver and the cleaner, were being treated at the hospital in Nagercoil, police added.

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