Three Indians including woman, van driver killed

23 December 2019 10:36 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

At least three Indians including a woman and a Sri Lankan driver (67) were killed following a container lorry and van collision on the Southern Expressway (E-01) in Kurundugahahetekma this evening, the expressway police said.

They said the accident occurred after the van crashed on to the back of the moving container lorry at the 62nd-kilometre post near the Kurundugahahetekma Interchange.

At the time of the accident, six Indians were travelling from Matara to Colombo, they said.

Three Indians including a woman and the driver of the van were pronounced dead upon admission to the Nagoda and Elpitiya hospitals.

The Expressway police claimed the van driver had fallen asleep on the wheel and crashed into the back of the container lorry.

While the container lorry was travelling at a speed of 25 kmph, the van had hit the back of the lorry, a senior official of the E-01 said.

According to the Elpitiya hospital police, five persons including the van driver were admitted with the van driver and two Indians found dead on admission.

Another two Indians were transferred to the Karapitiya hospital, Galle, for further treatments.

The Nagoda hospital police confirmed that one Indian was admitted and he had also died upon admission. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 14

Karl Monday, 23 December 2019 11:09 PM

So sad.... RIP!

Anmanpan Monday, 23 December 2019 11:56 PM

The van crashed into to rear of the container lorry and resulting deaths. Will the container lorry driver be arrested at midnight?

Stan Tuesday, 24 December 2019 12:07 AM

Why the container is doing 25 kmph without hazard lights on.

Kal Tuesday, 24 December 2019 01:26 AM

There should be a minimum speed allowed.

Adam83@hotmail.com Tuesday, 24 December 2019 02:41 AM

Authorities should really check the older drivers abilities drive long distances. Things are not same when you reach certain age. There is reason why there is age for retirement. Unfortunately our land there not enough support for retired people so they are forced to work.

Ruwan Tuesday, 24 December 2019 05:25 AM

Very sad to hear this news! I think the drivers are generally very often working without sleepless nights and this should change for the welfare of everyone

Tissa De Silva Tuesday, 24 December 2019 06:07 AM

our Drivers are not used to this high speed yet, on straight roads. We are used to speeds of 60 km/hour or less on winding Roads with many distractions, which prevent drivers from sleeping on the wheel. Best alternative is to talk with the driver on high speed straight roads. Indians would not know the Language to talk and keep the driver awake

Mm Tuesday, 24 December 2019 06:25 AM

How does a container travel at 25km per hour on the highway ?? These containers and bourses say 40kmp and on a 100kmp hour expressway going at 25kmp. Driving schools need to teach our local folks how to used an expressway. They don’t know and have not been thought!

Raj Tuesday, 24 December 2019 07:20 AM

Mr. Sajith if you did the same thing for the central bank robbery then you would have been the President today.

Bhatiya Siriwardena Tuesday, 24 December 2019 07:23 AM

Why allow container lorries and heavy vehicles? And travelling at 25 kmph is wrong!

SU Tuesday, 24 December 2019 07:35 AM

Sri Lankan driving tests before issuing license and the trainers are the worst in the world.ppl do not know how to drive.Learn from UAE

Dilan Tuesday, 24 December 2019 07:48 AM

Hit the back of the lorry? Pohottuwa people will say it was the lorry drivers fault.

Samantha Tuesday, 24 December 2019 08:03 AM

So sad to hear this kind of incidents. Govt. must introduce a meathod for All the drivers who carry tourists to get safety training from a authorized driving institute. Most of the drivers don't l ow about safety and to keep 25 meter distance when they drive. This incident must be t investigate thougougly and must take actions immediately to prevent future accidents.

prabhath Tuesday, 24 December 2019 08:13 AM

Cab service drivers work without adequate rest. They grab more hires than they can safely handle. This must be properly regulated.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Three Indians including woman, van driver killed

Comments - 14

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

Ranil Wickremesinghe caravan moves on despite barking dogs

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand