Three members of a family were killed and four others sustained injuries in a collision between an SUV and a car on the Salem-Karur National Highway near Namakkal in the early hours of Wednesday, September 16, 2026. The deceased were identified as Karthikumar (35), his mother Gandhimathi (55), and father Selvaraj (60), all from Molaiyappatti village near Aravakurichi in Karur district.
Collision details
According to preliminary reports, the SUV, carrying four occupants from Bengaluru, was returning from Tiruchendur after a temple visit. While proceeding on the highway, the SUV reportedly crossed the centre median and entered the opposite carriageway, colliding head-on with the car carrying Karthikumar and his parents. The victims were travelling from Bengaluru to their native Karur district to attend a family function.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the injured in the SUV were identified as Kishan Gowda (19), Yathunandan (19), Sivakumar (32), and Gowthami (30), all from Bengaluru. They were initially taken to Namakkal Government Hospital for first aid and were later shifted to Bengaluru for further treatment.
Investigation underway
The bodies of the three deceased were kept at the Namakkal Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. The Nallipalayam police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances leading to the accident. This stretch of the highway has been a site of several accidents, raising concerns about road safety measures in the region.
Road accidents continue to be a significant concern in Tamil Nadu, with frequent collisions reported across the state. Authorities have been urged to implement stricter traffic regulations and improve road infrastructure to prevent such tragic incidents. The investigation into this particular accident is ongoing, with police examining factors such as vehicle speed, road conditions, and potential driver negligence.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
