One killed, 44 hurt in bus mishap

PUDUCHERRY: A hotel owner was killed and several others were injured when a Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation bus, proceeding to Puducherry from Thirukanur, went out of control and  rammed into a hotel near Moolakulam on the Puducherry-Villupuram Main Road on Sunday.The deceased, Kesavan, was chatting with friends outside the hotel that was shut when the incident occurred. Of the injured, 19 were admitted to the Indira Gandhi Government Hospital and Post Graduate Institute (IGGH&PGI) where the condition of one is critical. Seven people, including a woman, were being treated in trauma ward at the IGGH&PGI. Other 14 people have been admitted in the surgical emergency wards. One of the injured, Das, is from Bangalore.In all, 65 passengers were in the bus when it went out of control near a turning at Moolakoolam and sped across a drain to ram against the hotel.  One of the bus passengers said the driver was taking on his mobile phone when the accident took place. He said the driver, who was also injured, fled the scene immediately after the incident. The police recovered a motorcycle, which was crushed in the accident.Minister for Local Administration N G Paneerselvam who visited the injured at the IGGH&PGI said all those who were injured are being examined.