Couple killed, 10 injured as freight vehicle rams tree near Pudukottai

A couple were killed and 10 others were injured after a freight vehicle in which they were travelling rammed a palm tree on the roadside near Purangadu village along the Aranthangi-Kattumavadi state highway in the district on Monday.  The names of the dead were given as S. Ramesh, 38, and his wife R. Kanimozhi, 35, both of Thuvarankudi village in neighbouring Thanjavur district.

The police said a group of 25 persons from Thuvarankudi village was returning home in the freight vehicle after offering worship at a Sivan temple at Nedungudi when the accident occurred. The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and rammed a roadside palm tree. Ramesh and Kanimozhi died on the way to the hospital.

The injured were taken to the Government Hospital, Aranthangi. Two of them were referred to the Pudukottai Government Medical College and Hospital for further treatment. The Nagudi police are investigating.