6 injured as college bus overturns near Paramakudi

Ramanathapuram: Six people, including five women students, were injured when a private college bus with 35 students overturned on the Ramanathapuram–Madurai National Highway near Ariyanenthal in Paramakudi taluk on Wednesday.

Police said the bus belonging to Syed Ammal Arts and Science College, Kootampuli, was ferrying students from Ramanathapuram to Paramakudi with Muthuperumal at the wheel. Preliminary reports said the bus lost control while negotiating a stretch near Ariyanenthal. It veered off the road, slid into a roadside ditch and hit an electric pole before overturning and landing on its roof. Five women students and the driver suffered minor injuries.

Police rushed to the spot and restored normal movement of vehicles after clearing the bus. The injured were rushed to Paramakudi Government Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. The condition of the injured was stable.

Meanwhile, a car approaching from the opposite direction narrowly escaped a major collision after its driver swerved into a nearby ditch upon noticing the out-of-control bus, police said. Traffic on the busy national highway was briefly disrupted following the accident. Paramakudi taluk police registered a case and are conducting investigation.