13 killed, 27 injured in mishap

Thirteen persons were killed and 27 injured in a collision between a government bus and a cement laden lorry at T Kallupatti, about 40 km from here today, police said.

The bus driver was among those killed. Police said the toll could increase as the condition of some of the passengers was serious.

The mishap occurred after the lorry driver lost control of his vehicle, rammed the bus at a junction after which it overturned, police said.

The bus was bound for Kumily in Kerala from Rajapalayam and the lorry for Thiruvananthapuram from Karur.

The injured passengers trapped between the seats were rescued by police and fire service personnel.

All of them were admitted to the Government Rajaji hospital here, police said.