A 49-year-old school van driver saved the lives of around 20 students by stopping the vehicle safely on the side of the road in Tamil Nadu's Tiruppur district. Moments later, the driver collapsed and died of suspected heart attack. He was later taken to a hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
A picture of Semalaiyappan sitting unconscious on the driver's seat with school children has gone viral on social media platform, X, as the users saluted the brave act of the driver.
The incident took place on Wednesday, July 24, when Semalaiyappan had picked up students from ANV Matric School in Vellakoil to drop them at their homes. He suffered chest pain and with great difficulty he managed to park the vehicle on the roadside safely.
Notably, his wife was also working in the same school as a helper and was in the van when he collapsed.
Many, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, praised the heroic act of the driver who saved the lives of the children on the verge of his death.
"Even though his life was in danger, he saved the precious lives of the school students. We salute him for his sense of duty and self-sacrifice. He will continue to live through his humanitarian act," Stalin said in a statement.
CM Stalin announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to be paid to the family of Semalaiyappan. DMK minister MP Saminathan handed over the cheque to the bereaved family.
Students and teachers of the private school on Friday paid tributes to the van driver. School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh also visited the family and paid tributes.
2024-07-26T11:15:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd