Four Labourers Killed and Eight Injured in Panruti Road Accident

Four daily wage labourers, including three women, were killed and eight others were seriously injured in a road accident on National Highway 36 at Panikankuppam near Panruti in Cuddalore district. The fatal collision occurred around 4:30 AM on a Sunday when a mini van carrying woodcutters crashed into the back of a tractor transporting cashew firewood.

The deceased victims have been identified by the authorities as R Rani, aged 60, R Ravi, aged 58, K Gandhimathi, aged 55, and S Sathya, aged 32. All four of the deceased, alongside the eight injured individuals, were daily wage labourers hailing from the localities of Ayipettai and Venkatampettai.

According to the local police, the incident transpired as the mini van was transporting 11 daily wage labourers to a designated wood-cutting site. While travelling along National Highway 36, the driver of the mini van attempted to overtake the tractor, which was heading towards Panruti with a load of cashew firewood. During the overtake attempt, the mini van rammed into the tractor from behind.

The force of the impact caused the stacked firewood logs on the tractor to loosen and topple onto the mini van, trapping the occupants inside the damaged vehicle.

Upon hearing the crash, local residents rushed to the scene to assist. They worked to rescue the trapped labourers from beneath the heavy logs. Emergency services were alerted, and the injured individuals were transported to the Panruti Government Hospital using 108 ambulances.

R Rani and R Ravi died from their injuries while on the way to the hospital. K Gandhimathi and S Sathya survived the initial journey but later succumbed to their injuries while undergoing treatment at the Cuddalore Government Hospital.

The eight other labourers who survived the collision sustained serious injuries. They remain admitted at the Cuddalore Government Hospital, where they are currently undergoing medical treatment.