Chennai: A 20-year-old woman was killed, and at least 18 others were injured after a van carrying pilgrims overturned near Avadi early on Tuesday morning.According to police sources, a group of 22 men and four women from Kandamangalam village and nearby areas in Villupuram district set out in a van during the early hours of the day to visit the Siruvapuri Murugan Temple near Periyapalayam.The accident occurred around 6am when the van was travelling along the Minjur–Vandalur Bypass Road near Vellanur and Kattur Estate, close to Avadi. Police said driver Mohan lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road, crash into a roadside barrier wall, and overturn into a ditch.Revathi, 20, died on the spot. Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver may have been drowsy at the time of the accident. The impact was severe, with the van’s front wheel detaching completely and the front portion of the vehicle badly mangled.All the injured passengers were rescued by police and admitted to the Tiruvallur Government Hospital for treatment. A case has been registered.
