It was a miraculous escape as 25 members of the same family escaped after a minivan capsized. A cow straying on the State Highway, Ooty-Mettupalayam Road, suddenly crossed the van near the second hair pin bend here on Saturday.

According to sources, 25 members belonging to the same family from Sathyamangalam were returning after a funeral at Aravankadu in Nilgris in a tourist Minivan.

While the vehicle was nearing the second hairpin bend, a stray cattle reportedly crossed the road . In an attempt to avoid hitting the cow, the driver steered the vehicle to the right and the vehicle lost balance and capsized.

Four people, including the driver of the minivan were severely injured. However, the rest escaped without injuries.

The injured were immediately rushed to the Mettupalayam government hospital for treatment.

Onlookers said that the stray animals always posed a risk to the road users and there were several such accidents in the past.

Lots of stray cows and horses roamed along the ghat section the eyewitnesses said.

He further added that since visibility was poor for the vehicles coming downhill the drivers have to make sure that they drive slowly and carefully to avoid accidents.