CUMBUM: In a tragic incident, five persons were killed when a 300-year-old banyan tree fell on a bus shelter at Narayanathevanpatti in Cumbum on Tuesday.
The five, Thuraipandi (52), his son Ramesh (34), Manikandan (40), Singathevar (40), and Gunasekaran (43), were standing at the bus shelter in Narayanadevanpatti on Tuesday afternoon when the 300-year-old tree on the catchments of Mullaiperiyar was uprooted after being struck by lightning and fell on the bus shelter crushing them. A van coming from a grape farm too collided with the tree.
Fire and Rescue personnel rushed to the spot and carried out the rescue operation along with the public gathered there. Police team lead by SP J Mahesh too was engaged in rescue operation.