Chennai: At least five people were killed and 42 others, including several children, were injured after a private omni bus collided head-on with a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus near Kottampatti in Madurai district during the early hours of Monday, police said.
The accident occurred on the four-lane national highway near Vandinagar, when the private bus, travelling from Chennai to Marthandam, allegedly lost control, crossed the central median and crashed into an oncoming TNSTC bus.
Buses Severely Damaged in Collision
The impact of the collision was severe. The private bus veered off the highway and rammed into a roadside passenger shelter, with its front portion completely crushed, trapping several passengers inside.
The TNSTC bus overturned due to the force of the crash, leaving many passengers stranded and injured.
Police, fire and rescue personnel, along with local residents, launched a large-scale rescue operation and used specialised equipment to free passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicles.
Five Dead, Several Injured in Critical Condition
Officials said five people four men and one woman died on the spot due to the severity of their injuries. Their identities are yet to be officially confirmed.
The 42 injured passengers, including children, were shifted to the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai for treatment. Hospital authorities said some of the injured remain in critical condition and are under close medical observation.
Police Probe Cause of Crash
Preliminary investigations suggest the driver of the private omni bus may have lost control moments before the collision. However, police said the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation.
Authorities are examining whether speeding, driver fatigue or mechanical failure played a role in the accident.
The crash disrupted traffic on the busy highway for several hours as cranes were deployed to remove the damaged buses. Police diverted vehicles through alternate routes while clearance operations continued.
A case has been registered by the Kottampatti Police, and further investigation is underway.