While seven persons died on the spot, two of them died while being taken to hospital. The deceased have been identified as Mariyayi (25) her baby Gunasekharan, Periyasamy (50), his wife Poongavanam (45), Thallupalli (25), Periyasamy (30) and Mookan (25), Anandan (30) and Mookayi (30).

Two others -- Mookan (35) and his wife Ramayi (30) -- who sustained severe injuries have been admitted to Government General Hospital. The duo had come to Chennai a few days ago.

According to eyewitnesses, about 50 platform dwellers escaped in the nick of time as the dipper-truck, after mowing those asleep, came to a halt after hitting a concrete mixer, a drainage tank and the compound wall of a nearby hospital.Police recovered one of the bodies from the drainage tank.

Police sources said the mishap occured at around 5 am when the truck driver, carrying blue metals from Tirusoolam to Otteri, lost control. The truck driver Subramani, of Pallavaram, was reportedly sleepy as he had been driving continuously.

The deceased are said to be from Kallakurichi, Perambulur and Chinnasalem. Except Mookayi's body, the others' have kept at Royapettah Hospital. Since Mookayi died on her way to hospital, her relatives have taken it to her village in Perambulur district. A police team has gone to bring back the body for a post-mortem, sources said.

Traffic was disrupted on the busy Ashok Nagar junction for over 45 minutes in the early hours.

For over 20 years, contract labourers have been staying near the Ashok Nagar junction and sleeping on the platform. The area is a busy junction with several heavy vehicles using the road especially in the mornings and nights since it serves as an alternative to Mount Road to reach theCity.