CHENNAI: A huge signage on the Anna Salai collapsed and fell on the road on Thursday when an MTC bus rammed its base pillar. The bus then hit a motorcycle and a mini truck and left at least 12 people injured.
The MTC bus (18K) was moving near the Spencers Plaza around 11.15 am, when the bus took a sharp turn to avoid hitting an auto. “In the process, the right side of the bus rammed the pillar of the signage board located in the middle of the road,” said a police officer.
The hoarding fell across the road and the traffic was affected for nearly half an hour on the arterial road.
“My husband had boarded the bus from Spencer’s bus stop. Minutes later, the driver applied a sudden brake and he banged his head, resulting in injuries to his teeth,” said wife of Srinivasan, one of the passengers in the bus.
Though many passengers had suffered injuries, most of the passersby were busy taking photos and videos of the incident rather than helping the injured. Thankfully, the injuries were minor. They were given medical assistance and later discharged from hospital in the day.
“I was travelling in the bus and suddenly, we all heard a loud sound. In a flash of a second, all of us were thrown off our seats,” said Krishnammaal, one of the injured passenger.
Bus driver Elumalai (32) suffered leg injuries.
The Pondy Bazaar Traffic Investigations Wing registered a case in connection with the accident and questioned bus conductor Elango.