An escort vehicle of Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram’s motorcade rammed an auto at Kovilpalayam near Pollachi on Tuesday injuring five persons, including four women and the driver of the auto.
The accident occurred when Chidambaram was returning to Coimbatore Airport on Coimbatore -Pollachi Road around 11.20 am after addressing students at Udumalpet.
According to police, traffic was closed for some time on the stretch. However the auto driver suddenly overtook another vehicle parked in front, presuming that the escort vehicles had crossed. However, when the auto entered the road, the last escort vehicle rammed it.
The injured were identified as Maragadhamani (50), Dhanalakshmi (55), Kalamani (45), Senthamil Selvi (35) and Velusamy, the auto driver.
All of them have been admitted to a private hospital in Pollachi. One passenger seated along with the driver was unhurt.
While Maragadhamani and Kalamani sustained injuries on the head, Senthamil Selvi was injured on the hip. Dhanalakshmi suffered a fracture on right hand. Velusamy escaped with bruises.
The injured persons were all relatives and were returning home to Puravipalayam village near Pollachi after attending a condolence meeting at Sangarapuram near Kinathukkadavu when the mishap occurred.