17 killed, several injured in Tamil Nadu bus accident

Shanmuga Sundarapuram (Tamil Nadu), Dec.2 (ANI): About 17 people were killed and over 60 persons injured as two private buses head-on in Shanmuga Sundarapuram village in Tamil Nadu's Theni District on Thursday morning.

The accident took place when one driver attempted to overtake a vehicle and lost control, hitting a bus coming from the opposite direction.

While one bus was proceeding to Madurai from Theni, the other was going to Chinnamanur from Madurai. The bus from Madurai overturned and many were crushed to death.

According to residents, the bus drivers drive very rashly and easily cause accidents in the area.

"This accident has happened because the bus drivers drive at greater speeds and easily meet with accidents, so government should take measures to control it. They should set up police to record speed and also put barricades and booths on roads to control them," said Thiravian, a resident.

A rescue team rushed to the spot and rescued the passengers with the help of residents of that area.

Injured passengers were shifted to a nearby hospital. By Jaikumar (ANI)