Five devotees were injured after a van rammed into shops in Tirupattur

A van that was involved in an accident at Athiyur village near Tirupattur town. | Photo credit: Special arrangement

Five people were injured after the tourist van they were traveling in rammed into shops and damaged a power pole in Athiyur village near Tirupattur town on Sunday.

Police said S. Ranjith Kumar, 23, a native of Katpadi in Vellore, ran a tourist van in the area for temple visits and family functions. Initial investigation revealed that while Kumar was returning from Thiruchendur with a group of 13 devotees on the Tirupattur main road, he lost control of the vehicle.

Police said Kumar rammed the vehicle into a tire repair shop and an electric pole on the roadside. The vehicle stopped after hitting a biryani shop. Five devotees were injured in the incident, which occurred around 4 am

Immediately, residents and passers-by freed the injured. They were admitted to the Government Taluk Hospital in Tirupattur town. Acting on a tip-off, the Tirupattur City Police conducted an on-the-spot inspection. The power supply to the damaged electric pole was stopped by the officials. A case has been registered.

Police suspect that Kumar fell asleep at the wheel. The damaged van was towed to restore flow. A probe is underway.

Published – 29 Jun 2026 0:19 IST