SALEM: A private college bus flipped to its side near Mecheri near Mettur in Salem district on Saturday, causing severe injuries to at least 23 persons including 20 girl students and three staff members.
Police said that a state-level ball badminton tournament was organised at a private college at Mettur on Saturday. A group of students including 30 girls and three staff from different colleges in Chennai and Kancheepuram districts had come by train for the tournament. They were picked up by the college bus this morning at Kuttapatti station, en route to Mettur, to be taken to the tournament venue. The students were from Ethiraj Women's College, Viashanv College and Madras Christian College, police said.
Police said the accident happened when the driver of the bus, Hariharan, on way to the play-venue carrying the students, lost control of the vehicle at Madhaiyan street bus stop near Mecheri. The bus capsized after hitting a roadside tree.
The injured including 20 women students were rescued by the Mecheri police and admitted to nearby private hospital and some to the Salem government hospital. Traffic on the Salem-Macheri road came to a standstill for more than an hour. One of the college students, Charulatha,18, under treatment is said to be in a critical condition at private hospital in Salem. Meanwhile, Salem South MLA met the injured students at the Salem government hospital and asked hospitals administrator to ensure the best possible treatment for them.
