Seven men killed in accident near Chengam in Tiruvannamalai

Seven men killed in SUV-bus collision in Tiruvannamalai. Five Assam natives, two from Krishnagiri district, and four injured. Accident occurred on Tindivanam-Krishnagiri National Highway 77. Second major accident in district in recent days

Seven men including five Assam natives, were killed on the spot after a SUV in which they were travelling collided with a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) bus on Tindivanam-Krishnagiri National Highway 77 at Anthanoor bus stop near Chengam town in Tiruvannamalai district on Monday, October 23, 2023.

This is the second major accident in the district in recent days. On October 15, seven persons including two children and a woman had died after the car they were travelling collided with a lorry near Chengam town.

Police identified the victims as R. Kuncha Rai (24), S. Narayan Sethi (35), C. Bhinmal Tirth (28), B. Dallu (26), and V. Nicholas (22), all natives of Assam; and S. Puneeth Kumar (23) and G. Kamaraj (29), who hailed from Denkanikottai and Marampatti villages in Krishnagiri district respectively.

Police suspect Puneeth, who drove the vehicle, had attempted to overtake a vehicle when it collided with an oncoming bus from Bengaluru.

None of the bus passengers or crew was injured.

Four co-passengers of the SUV K. Stephen Ora (44), V. Samun Orangi (26), B. Kismoth (30) and Pichesi Murmu (29) were injured and have been admitted at the Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruvannamalai town, around 55 kms from the accident spot.

Doctors at the hospital said Kismoth and Orangi have been put on ventilator.