Couple killed, 19 injured as mini truck rams tree

Pudukottai: A couple was killed and 19 others were injured after an overloaded mini load truck in which they were travelling crashed into a roadside tree near Aranthangi in Pudukottai district on Monday morning.Police said 36 residents of Peravoorani in Thanjavur district had travelled in a mini truck to a temple near Arimalam to participate in the Shivaratri festival. They were returning to their village when the accident occurred.The vehicle was driven by Shiva, 19, son of Ganesan. While proceeding along, the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle, which veered off the road and rammed a tree before overturning.Ramesh, 38, and his wife Kanimozhi, 35, died on the spot. Nineteen others sustained injuries. Others who suffered serious injuries, were admitted to the Pudukottai Govt Medical College Hospital, while the remaining injured were taken to the govt hospital in Aranthangi for treatment. Police have registered a case.