A somber Saturday morning witnessed a tragic road accident near Thennilai in Karur district, Tamil Nadu, resulting in the immediate deaths of three inter-State migrant workers and leaving two others injured.
Police investigations revealed that the victims were employed at a private blue metal quarry situated close to Kodandur in K. Paramathi. This quarry is known for engaging over 20 workers from various states in stone-crushing and M-sand production operations.
The horrific incident occurred around 5 a.m. when a tipper lorry, heavily loaded with M-sand destined for a construction site, was traveling along the Karur-Coimbatore link road. Near Muthaligoundampalayam, the driver reportedly lost control due to excessive speed, causing the vehicle to overturn.
Tragically, three workers—Sikandar Ketha (21), Vidhyanath Prabhakaran (47), and Ajay Bangra (30)—who were riding on top of the lorry’s load, were buried under the collapsing M-sand and died instantly at the scene.
Another worker, Aljeem Parva (30), suffered a fractured arm, while the lorry driver, Chandrakumar (39), sustained multiple injuries. Both survivors were promptly rescued and transported by ambulance to the Karur Government Medical College Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Upon receiving the distressing news, personnel from the Fire and Rescue Services, alongside the Thennilai police, quickly arrived at the accident site. They meticulously worked to retrieve the bodies, which were then sent to the government hospital for post-mortem examinations.
The Thennilai police, operating under the guidance of K. Paramathi Circle Inspector Thangaraj, have formally registered a case and initiated a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Initial inquiries suggest alarming safety lapses: the lorry was allegedly carrying M-sand significantly beyond its permitted load capacity, and more critically, workers were being transported in the vehicle in direct violation of established safety regulations. This incident underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement of safety protocols in the transportation sector, especially concerning vulnerable migrant workers.