Six killed as lorry plunges into roadside pit in TN

Cuddalore: Six persons, including two women, died and 32 were injured when a mini-lorry carrying 38 people to a funeral, fell off a bridge and plunged into a roadside pit near Ramanatham in the district, officials said Tuesday.

The mishap occurred after the driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus fell off the Arangur Road Bridge and plunged 20 feet down into a pit, yesterday.

While five died yesterday, one person succumbed to injuries at a government hospital in the early hours today, Police Inspector A Rajaram told reporters here.

The lorry was carrying 38 persons from North Taranallur in Ariyalur district to Muthukulam village.

The injured have been admitted to hospitals nearby.

The driver escaped without injuries as he jumped out and he fled from the spot, police said, adding, a search is on for him.

The vehicle was destroyed, they added.

Cuddalore collector C.Suresh Kumar visited the injured at the Thittakudi goverment hospital today.