TN: PMK leader dies in midnight accident

The state secretary of the PMK’s youth wing, T Arivuselvan, who was expected by many to rise to prominence in the party, was killed in an accident on Kollidam Road, a few km away from the city, here early on Tuesday.

The 39-year-old Arivuselvan was returning from Chennai after discussing with party functionaries the arrangements for the PMK’s protest against liquor outlets — scheduled on Wednesday — when the mishap occurred. At 12.45 am, near the Kollidam tollgate, Sathyaseelan (39) from Ariyalur, who was behind the wheel of  Arivuselvan’s car, was driving towards a road leading to the city when a private omni bus, bound for Chennai from Tenkasi, collided with the car. Both Arivuselvan and Sathyaseelan were rushed to a private hospital in Tiruchy with severe injuries.

However, Arivuselvan, who suffered a head injury, died en route to the hospital. Eyewitnesses claimed that Arivuselvan was lying on the left side of the car near the rear door when the accident occurred.The omni bus directly hit the rear door on which Arivuselvan was resting his head, they said.

It was Arivuselvan, who was said to be conscious even after the accident, who reportedly called for an ambulance. Police also arrested the omni bus driver, Ramasamy of Aruppukottai.

His body, which was sent to the GH for post mortem, was handed over to his relatives around 10.30 am. Arivuselvan is survived by his wife and two sons.

Meanwhile party founder and president S Ramadoss said the PMK had lost one of its pillars. He along with the party president GK mani rushed to Ariyalur and paid homage to the departed leader.