A 44-year-old TNSTC driver, Arumugam, who was driving a bus from Arappalayam to Kodaikanal, had complained of intense chest pain to the conductor at around 6.30 am. He managed to save the lives of at least 30 passengers on board by parking the bus on the side of the road before collapsing.

“The bus reached Guru Theatre Junction, that is about a kilometre from the bus stand, around 6.30 am when he felt discomfort. He thought it could be indigestion,” the depot manager informed TOI. The conductor apparently found him motionless after arriving from the pharmacy with a digestion tablet and a water bottle. Even though he immediately called an ambulance, Arumugam had died by the time it arrived.

Madurai’s TNSTC Deputy Commercial manager, Yuvaraj, was quoted as saying, “Arumugam had 12 years of experience as a driver with TNSTC and his exemplary action of parking the bus on roadside thus saving 30 lives will always be remembered. He has left behind two daughters.” Arumugam’s body was later transferred to Government Rajaji Hospital for post-mortem.