Two schoolboys lost their lives and two others sustained injuries in a collision involving a lorry and two-wheelers near Anthiyur, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday night. The accident occurred on the Anaimaduvu–Ammapettai road, in front of the Electricity Board office, within the limits of Anthiyur police station.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the lorry, driven by Ayyappan (53) of Mecheri in Salem district, was proceeding towards Ammapettai. The driver allegedly attempted to overtake another vehicle and collided head-on with a two-wheeler coming from the opposite direction. The impact of the collision was severe, leading to the immediate death of the two schoolboys, identified as C. Jeevan Prasad (17) of Vellithiruppur and M. Dev (18) of Kamarajar Nagar in Bhavani. Both were students of a private school in Tiruppur district who had recently completed their Plus Two board examinations. Their bodies were sent to the Anthiyur Government Hospital mortuary.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that two other individuals, Prem (27) of Boothapadi near Anthiyur, and his relative, a 17-year-old girl who was on the pillion, also sustained injuries when their two-wheeler was involved in the accident. They were rescued and admitted to the Anthiyur Government Hospital. Subsequently, they were referred to a private hospital in Coimbatore for further medical treatment.
The police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. While the provided details indicate the immediate cause of the accident involved the lorry attempting an overtake, further inquiries are expected to ascertain all contributing factors. Road safety in Tamil Nadu, particularly concerning school children and private vehicles, has been a recurring concern, with past incidents highlighting the need for stricter regulations and enforcement. The state has seen several tragic accidents involving young students in recent years, prompting discussions on improved safety measures for vehicles transporting children to and from educational institutions.
The Chenab Times News Desk