Source: The Hindu
VELLORE, INDIA, February 24, 2002: A temple priest was killed and Vijayendra Saraswathi, the junior Acharya of the Kanchi Kamakoti Math, had a providential escape when the temple chariot of the Vallimalai Murugan temple collapsed after an axle of one its front wheels broke. Police here said the annual brahmotsavam of the temple, over 30 km from here, was held today. At 6 p.m., the festival was inaugurated with the pulling of ropes of the temple car by Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi and M.S. Chandrashekharan, Ranipet MLA. The 25-foot car had hardly moved 50 feet, when the axle broke suddenly. As a result, the entire car collapsed on the road. Suresh Iyer, 25, a Melpadi village priest seated on the car, fell down and was trapped below the heavy ornate car. He died on the spot. Two youths, Ravi and Rajaraman, were injured and admitted to hospital. Three persons received simple injuries. Work is on to remove the debris. Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi was only a little distance away when the accident took place.