Shepherd, 40 goats killed in TN road mishap

A 55-year old shepherd was killed and six others were seriously injured while 40 goats crushed to death when a speeding van ran over them near Sathyamangalam in the district today, police said.
The seven shepherds from Sulur in Coimbatore district were taking 60 odd goats to sell them in a village shandy in Kodivery area when the mishap occurred on Erode-Sathyamangalam main road.
The van ploughed through the shepherds and the herd of goats, killing Marudhachalam on the spot.
The six other men were seriously injured and had been admitted to a government hospital, police said.
Forty goats were also crushed to death and some others injured, they said adding the van driver fled the scene, abandoning the vehicle.

Local villagers assisted police in removing the dead goats.
The injured goats were treated by veterinary surgeons in the Animal Husbandry department dispensary at Gobichettipalayam, about 30 km from Sathyamangalam.