Yercaud toll increases to five, leaders condole deaths

CHENNAI: The toll in Tuesday evening’s bus accident at the Yercaud Ghat Road in Salem district rose to five, with one more person succumbing to injuries at the hospital, on Wednesday.

Police sources said the deceased was one of the more than 40 passengers who sustained injuries in the accident that took place on the 11th hairpin bend on the ghat road. Despite the best of treatment, he succumbed to injuries at the Salem Government Hospital on Wednesday morning. The condition of majority of the injured was said to be stable.

The accident occurred when the driver of the Salem-bound private bus, carrying 56 passengers from the tourist spot of Yercaud, lost control while negotiating the hairpin bend, rammed into a sidewall and it ploughed through a 50-ft gorge upside down, killing four people on the spot.

Meanwhile, sources said negligence on the part of the driver was said to be the reason for the accident. Police have registered five cases in connection with the accident and are investigating.

Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday urged the DMK government to provide financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the victims, who died in a road accident.

Pointing out that to avoid the scorching summer, people started touring hilly regions, the former chief minister said “therefore, the state government should immediately take measures to appoint officials concerned, who should setup check posts at vital places and should also ensure that bus drivers were experienced to drive their vehicles up hill in these regions.”

Expressing his condolences to the bereaved families, Palaniswami demanded the state to announce Rs 10 lakh solatium to the families of five victims, who died in the accident.

“In addition, the government should also extend financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for those, who sustained severe injuries,” he said adding “persons, who got minor injuries should also be provided Rs 50,000 each.”

PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss and leaders of various parties, also condoled the deaths of five people in the accident.

Provide Rs 10 lakh to victims’ kin: EPS