Vavuniya road accident claims three lives, injures 17

Three passengers had died and at least 17 others were injured after bus heading from Jaffna to Vavuniya on the A9 road skidded off the road and toppled near Nochchimotttai Bridge in Vavuniya early this morning.

Police said 20 passengers including the driver of the bus were injured in the accident and after being admitted to the Vavuniya hospital, the driver and two others succumbed to their injuries.

Two deceased were aged 32 and 23 years and residents of Velvettiturai and Nawalapitiya areas and the identify of other deceased has not been established as yet.

Eight men and nine women who were injured in the accident are currently receiving treatment at the Vavuniya Hospital.