The private bus which overturned at Alagapuri Pass near Virudhunagar on Thursday, killing three persons. | Photo Credit: SpecialArrangement more-in VIRUDHUNAGAR Three persons – two college students and an elderly woman – died when a speeding private mofussil bus overturned here on Thursday. Police said the bus, which was proceeding to Rajapalayam via Sivakasi, left the bus stand at 8 a.m. A large number of school and college students and office-goers were travelling on the bus. When the bus was approaching Alagapuri Pass, a pedestrian allegedly attempted to cross the road. In a bid to avoid hitting him, the driver applied brakes suddenly. As a result, the vehicle went out of control and overturned on the open field on the roadside. While many passengers got trapped inside the bus, a few managed to come out of it. Some passers-by alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot after some delay. Ambulance vehicles reached there only after 45 minutes. A fire service officer, who was involved in the rescue operation, said Kutti Ammal, 60, of Soolakarai, Virudhunagar, and Sasikumar, 20, of Aruppukottai were crushed to death when the bus overturned. Later, another passenger, Solaikannan, 20, also from Aruppukottai, died at hospital. The two youth were studying in a local college. Traffic was paralysed on the stretch for over an hour. Police investigations were on.

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