The driver Ramasami managed to steer the bus to the left side of the ghat road at Burliyar, about 25 km here, where it hit the rocky face of the mountain, turned turtle and stopped. He then collapsed on the steering wheel and died on the spot.
His presence of mind in not turning to the right, where there is a 600 feet drop, saved the lives of the passengers, 15 of whom were injured, they said.
The bus was proceeding to Erode from this tourist town when the driver suffered a heart attack.