Ten pilgrims, including a two-year-old child, were injured on the Banana Road in Cluny on the evening of Wednesday 1 February. The pilgrims, aged between 2 and 73, were walking in a procession to the Singama Kaliamen Kovil in Cluny when they were hit from behind by a motorcyclist. The latter, a 24-year-old helper, tested positive for alcohol. Two of the pilgrims, a two-year-old boy and a 30-year-old woman, were admitted for observation at the Jawaharlall Nehru Hospital in Rose-Belle.
The accident occurred at about 8.25pm on Wednesday evening, 1 February. The young helper, a resident of Banane, was riding his Derby motorbike towards Cluny when he collided with a group of pilgrims converging at Singama Kaliamen Kovil in the same direction.
An ambulance from the Emergency Medical Service was called to the scene of the accident to evacuate the injured to Rose-Belle Hospital. They are a 2-year-old boy, four women aged 30, 32, 49 and 71 respectively, a 15-year-old girl and four men aged 19, 35, 36 and 73 respectively. Eight of the ten injured were able to return to their homes after receiving treatment. Only the 2-year-old child and the 30-year-old woman were admitted and placed under observation.
The driver of the motorbike who was also injured was admitted to the ward and placed under observation. Prior to this he was given a breath test by a police officer from the Emergency Response Service. This was positive. He had 92 micrograms of alcohol in his breath.
