Five Sabarimala Pilgrims Seriously Injured in Karur Bus Collision
In a distressing road accident that occurred late Saturday night, five Ayyappa devotees journeying to Sabarimala sustained serious injuries when their tourist van was violently rear-ended by a government bus near Manmangalam in Karur district.
The Chain Collision Incident
The unfortunate sequence of events began when the pilgrims' van slowed down due to another government bus that had stopped ahead on the road. At that critical moment, a second government bus approaching from behind lost control and crashed into the stationary van with significant force.
The impact was so severe that it pushed the pilgrims' vehicle into the bus parked in front, creating a chain collision effect. All five passengers in the van suffered serious injuries in the violent impact that damaged multiple vehicles.
Identifying the Injured Devotees
The injured pilgrims have been identified as residents of Chinna Salem in Kallakurichi district. The victims include K Rajiv Gandhi (39), A Prabakaran (32), S Pitchaimuthu (44), S Ashok Kumar (39), and S Annamalai (42).
According to police reports, the group was en route to the famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala when the accident interrupted their spiritual journey. The collision occurred during late night hours, adding to the challenges of immediate rescue operations.
Immediate Rescue and Police Response
Local residents demonstrated remarkable community spirit by rushing to the accident spot upon hearing the collision. They played a crucial role in rescuing the injured devotees and arranging their transportation to a nearby private hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Law enforcement authorities from Vangal police station have registered a formal case and initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the bus losing control. The investigation will examine factors such as driver negligence, vehicle condition, and road conditions at the accident site.
This incident has raised fresh concerns about road safety measures on highways frequently used by pilgrims, particularly during peak religious travel seasons when thousands of devotees undertake similar journeys to various pilgrimage sites across South India.
