A tragic incident unfolded in Mankulam, Panicchankulam area of the A-9 main road today (15) morning, resulting in the loss of three lives and injuries to eight individuals.
The unfortunate accident involved a van and two lorries.
According to the police report, the collision transpired as a van, en route from Colombo to Jaffna, crashed into the rear of a stationary lorry. Subsequently, the lorry that was struck collided with another lorry positioned in front of it. The initial lorry’s driver had disembarked from the vehicle when the van struck it.
The sequence of events led to the van impacting the stationary lorry, which then collided with the oncoming lorry, trapping its driver between the two lorries.
Tragically, a passenger seated in the rear of the stationary lorry and another occupant in the front seat of the van sustained severe injuries and succumbed to them while being transported to Mankulam Hospital.
The collision also left three women traveling in the van and five others in the two lorries injured. These injured individuals received medical attention at Kilinochchi Hospital and Mankulam Hospital.
The victims were identified as residents of Mulleriya New Town, Wellampitiya, and Jaffna, aged 38, 46, and 58.
In the aftermath of the incident, the van’s driver has been apprehended in connection with the accident.