Chennai, 24 February (H.S.) : More than 30 individuals, including school students, teachers, and drivers, sustained injuries following a severe collision between a school bus and a tipper truck in the Chathirakudi area of Ramanathapuram district on Monday morning.

The school bus, belonging to Vasan Matriculation Higher Secondary School, was on its regular morning route to pick up students from nearby villages. The accident occurred when the bus was making a left turn from the Madurai-Rameswaram National Highway to enter the school premises and was struck from behind by a speeding tipper truck carrying boulders.

The impact of the collision caused the school bus to overturn, while the truck, which was transporting boulders from Virudhunagar to Thangachimadam, also overturned. Local residents and authorities rushed to the spot to rescue the trapped occupants. All the injured individuals were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.

Ramanathapuram Motor Vehicle Inspector Thangarasu stated that, acting on the directives of the District Collector, a heavy fine of Rs 1.40 lakh has been imposed on the owner of the truck for reckless and negligent driving.

Furthermore, the authorities have recommended the cancellation of the truck's license to the Virudhunagar District Motor Vehicle Inspector to ensure accountability.

The local police have registered a case and are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the collision.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary