The Hindu : 2 killed, 3 vehicles gutted in tanker-truck collision

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 09, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

2 killed, 3 vehicles gutted in tanker-truck collision

By Our Special Correspondent

NAMAKKAL Jan. 8 . Three vehicles were gutted and two persons charred to death in an accident involving a tanker carrying denaturated alcohol at Athanur Samathuvapuram near Rasipuram today. The rifle of a head constable who came as an escort in the tanker was also burnt. The entire episode happened within a few minutes.

The tanker was on its way from Palayamkottai to Mettur Chemicals when it collided head-on with a truck proceeding from Salem to Namakkal. In the impact, the tanker slightly deviated from the road, and a Maruti car following the truck, also hit the tanker.

Subsequently, the car was sandwiched between the tanker and the truck and as its right door got jammed, Selvaraj of Seelanaickenpatti, who was on the driver seat came out through the left door.

He was said to have left his purse inside the car, and when he went to retrieve it, the alcohol from the tanker started spilling on the car, and in the heat generated by the engine, it caught fire.

The flames engulfed Selvaraj who ran for some distance on the road, calling for help, but before rescue could reach him, fell dead. The truck also caught fire, and the driver from Thammampatti (yet to be identified) suffered severe burns and died.

The tyres of the tanker were scorched and the driver suffered severe injuries in the legs. His condition is said to be serious.

The head constable, Sundararaj, sustained minor injuries.

The driver and cleaner of the tanker, as well as the truck cleaner have been admitted to hospital.

The Salem District Superintendent of Police, K.C. Mahali, who is holding additional charge of Namakkal district, rushed to the spot to arrange for relief measures.

Mr. Mahali said the tanker had four chambers, and only one was damaged, while the other portions were retaining the alcohol intact.

An empty tanker had been requisitioned from the Mettur Chemicals, and the accompanying experts successfully transferred the alcohol from the damaged vehicle.

Fire tenders from both Salem and Tiruchengode doused the flames.

Traffic on this route was diverted for about five hours through Mallur and Vennandur.

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