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8 killed in giant wheel collapse

By Our Staff Reporter

KARUR MAY 27. Eight persons were killed, including three of a family, and 24 others injured when a giant wheel, put up on the Amaravathy riverbed here, as part of the annual festival of the Mariamman temple, collapsed this evening.

Thousands had assembled to take part in the festivities. The motor-operated giant wheel came down crashing at around 7 p.m. after gusty winds followed by rain swept the place. The operator reportedly stopped the giant wheel and even as some were alighting from it, the steel structure collapsed. Eight persons were crushed to death under huge shafts and bars. Five persons were killed on the spot, while two others died in hospital. The dead included Paramasivam (35), a Grade I constable attached to the Pasupathypalayam station; his wife, Pappathi (30) and their son, Aravind (12). The couple's daughter, Sharmila (6), was among the injured. Three others, K.Kathirvelu (15) of Athipalayam; P.Lakshmi (32) of Pasupathypalayam and Senthil Kumar (24) of Vadivel Nagar, died in private hospitals. Two others are yet to be identified.

The injured included 12 children, eight men and four women. All of them were rushed to the Karur Government Hospital and private hospitals. The police sources said they had not given permission for putting up the giant wheel.

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