Three of family killed in car accident in Namakkal

Three members of a family including a woman were killed and four persons were injured when an SUV reportedly crossed the median and collided with a car on the Salem–Karur road near the Coastal Over Bridge in Namakkal in the early hours of Wednesday (September 16, 2026).

The deceased were identified as Karthickkumar (35), his mother Gandhimathi (55), and father Selvaraj (60), all native of Molaiyappatti near Aravakurichi in Karur district. They were residing in Bengaluru and were travelling to Aravakurichi in a car to attend a family function.

According to preliminary information, an SUV, carrying four persons from Bengaluru, was returning from Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district after a temple visit. While proceeding on the National Highway, it reportedly crossed the centre median and entered the opposite carriageway before colliding with the car that carried the three victims around 4.30 a.m. The injured in the SUV were identified as Kishan Gowda (19), Yathunandan (19), Sivakumar (32) and Gowthami (30), all from Bengaluru.

They were taken to the Namakkal Government Hospital, where they received first aid. All four persons were subsequently shifted to Bengaluru in a private ambulance for further treatment. The bodies of the three deceased were kept at the Namakkal Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. Nallipalayam police are investigating.