Jaffna education official dies in road accident

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 October 2004, 14:13 GMT]
Mr.Ponniah Venugopalavanithasan (53), Theevagam Zonal Director of Education in Jaffna district died on the spot Wednesday morning around 11.10 a.m. at Manthikai Therumoodi Madam along Jaffna Point Pedro road when a vehicle crashed into a house, Nelliyady Police said.

The official, known to his friends and workers as Mr Venugopal, earlier served as Principal of Point Pedro Hartley College for few months, education sources said.

According to police investigation, the deceased had left home Wednesday in a push bicycle to see his sister who is residing Manthikai Therumoodi Madam area. Keeping his cycle nearby and when he was about to enter his sister's house, a vehicle, which came in high speed, had crashed into the house killing him on the spot.

The driver of the vehicle and a pedestrian were wounded in the incident, police said.

Police said the driver of vehicle had lost control due to excessive speed.

Traffic Police sources said on average three road accidents take place in Jaffna district every day.

A bus with commuters Wednesday plunged into the sea near Karainagar when the drive lost control. Fortunately no one was injured in the mishap, police said.

On Tuesday fourteen passengers were wounded when a Hi-Ace van and lorry collided near Navatkuli Bridge, Police said.