COIMBATORE: Eight tourists from Kerala, including seven women and a man, died and five others suffered serious injuries after a van they were travelling in veered off the Valparai-Pollachi Ghat Road and plunged several hundred feet into a steep gorge on Friday evening.The accident took place at the 13th hairpin bend under the Kadambarai police station limits around 5.15pm.The victims were part of a 13-member tourist group from Perinthalmanna in Kerala’s Malappuram district and were returning from Valparai after a sightseeing trip. Preliminary reports said the driver of the Tempo Traveller, identified as 21-year-old Mohammed Fasith, lost control of the vehicle while negotiating the sharp curve.The vehicle skidded off the road and tumbled through dense terrain before coming to rest near the level of the ninth hairpin bend. Eight passengers died on the spot.After receiving the alert, a police team led by Valparai deputy superintendent of police and the Valparai inspector rushed to the scene and began rescue operations. Fire and rescue services personnel also joined the effort and worked to extricate the victims from the mangled vehicle.A police official said the difficult terrain made the rescue operation extremely challenging, but all survivors were rescued.The five injured were taken to the Government Hospital in Pollachi in 108 ambulances. Their condition was reported to be critical.The bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem. The Kadambarai police registered a case and began investigations.
