Chennai: In a devastating incident on the Salem-Vriddhachalam highway in Tamil Nadu, three members of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) lost their lives, and 14 others sustained injuries in a head-on collision between a van and a lorry at Naraiyur on Saturday.

The deceased were identified as N. Uthirakumar (29), V. Yuvaraj (17), and A. Anbu Selvan.

Reports indicate that the 25 VCK members were returning to Villianur near Bhuvanagiri from Bhuvanagiri in Cuddalore district in the van after attending a party conference at Siruganur near Tiruchi on Friday evening.

Around 2:50 a.m., near Naraiyur, the van lost control, resulting in a head-on collision with a goods lorry traveling from the opposite direction.

Police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Veppur promptly responded to the scene, initiating rescue operations. The injured individuals were swiftly transported to Vriddachalam, Veppur, and Perambalur Government Hospitals.