Salem: 2 killed, 11 hurt in three different road mishaps

Salem: At least two persons including a special sub-inspector (SSI) were killed and 11 others were injured, some of the seriously, in three different road mishaps since Friday night in Erode and Salem districts, police said on Saturday.

In the first accident near Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, SSI James Robert, 56, attached to Thiruvalur police station, was returning home in his car after official work when it suddenly crashed against a roadside tree near Chettiseviyur.

James Robert who was driving the car himself was killed on the spot and another constable, Karthik, who was travelling with him in the car was critically injured. On information Thirvalur police rushed to the spot, retrieved the two and sent Karthik to the Gobi GH for treatment. Further investigation is on.

In the second mishap late on Friday night, a speeding car rammed against two watchmen, Rajalingam (55) and Balakrishnan (49), who were on night duty guarding a jewellery shop on RKV road in Erode town, police said. Rajalingam was killed on the spot, while the injured Balakrishnan was rushed to Erode GH. Police are on the lookout for the car driver who fled the scene after the accident.

In the third mishap, nine persons including four women and a girl child, belonging to three families, were injured when the tourist cab they were travelling in tilted to one side after the vehicle's driver lost control driving in the Yercaud hill area on Saturday evening. The families had come for sightseeing in Yercaud and were returning to Tirupathur when the accident took place. All the injured were treated at the Vazhavandhi primary health centre. Police have registered a case and are investigating.