Namakkal, Sept 4:
Four students from the same family were killed when a private college bus hit the two-wheeler on which they were travelling near Tiruchengode in Namakkal district on Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Nivedha, 17, a Class 11 student; Thanushree, 13, a Class 7 student; Abinaya, 12, a Class 6 student; and their cousin Kalaichelvi, 19, a college student.
Kalaichelvi used to take the three girls to and from school on her two-wheeler. On Thursday afternoon, she had gone to their school and was returning home with the three girls.
The accident occurred around 4.30 pm when they were attempting to cross a road near a private petrol station at Chakkarampalayam. A private college bus travelling from Rasipuram towards Sankagiri reportedly collided with the two-wheeler.
Kalaichelvi and Abinaya died on the spot. Nivedha and Thanushree were seriously injured and were rushed to the Tiruchengode Government Hospital, but both died on the way.
More than 30 students travelling in the college bus were sent home in other buses following the accident.
The Elachipalayam police have registered a case and launched a search for the college bus driver, who reportedly fled the scene.