Narrow escape for 87 after rear axle detaches from bus in Tenkasi, 6 hurt

Officials say vehicle had fitness cert from RTO; technical team will submit report after inquiry

- THINAKARAN RAJAMANI @Tenkasi

FOUR school students, a nursing student, and an elderly man were injured after the rear axle of a government bus got detached when the vehicle was in motion on the Thirumangalam-Kollam National Highway near Tenkasi on Friday. The posterior end of the bus, which had 87 passengers onboard, landed on its belly in the middle of the NH. A video clip from the spot showed both rear tyres lying on the side, completely separated from the bus. Several passengers suffered minor internal injuries after the bus landed with a thud.

Srivilliputhur TNSTC depot branch manager Raja Guru told TNIE that the bus had RTO 'fitness certificate' to be operated on road.