Tragic Accident Claims Lives of Four Women Devotees on Temple Pilgrimage in Tamil Nadu
In a heartbreaking incident that has shocked the community, four women devotees undertaking a sacred foot pilgrimage were tragically killed when a speeding car struck them on the Chennai-Trichy national highway. The devastating accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday near Perambalur, leaving three other pilgrims with serious injuries.
Details of the Fatal Collision on the Highway
The victims were walking towards the annual Thaipoosam Thiruvuzha festival at the renowned Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Samayapuram, located in the Mannachanallur block of Trichy district. As the group of devotees from various districts approached the Siruvachur bridge in Perambalur district, a car traveling from Chennai towards Trichy hit them from behind at high speed.
The impact of the collision was severe and immediate. Three of the women—S Malarkodi (35), B Vijayalakshmi (40), and M Chitra (40)—sustained critical injuries and died at the scene. The fourth victim, T Sasikala (47), along with three other pilgrims, suffered grave injuries in the accident.
Identification of the Victims and Their Background
The deceased women have been identified as residents of different villages in Tamil Nadu:
- S Malarkodi, aged 35, from Tholarkudikadu village in Cuddalore district
- B Vijayalakshmi, aged 40, also from Tholarkudikadu village in Cuddalore district
- T Sasikala, aged 47, from Tholarkudikadu village in Cuddalore district
- M Chitra, aged 40, from Gangavalli village in Salem district
The injured pilgrims include Jothilakshmi (57), Tamilarasi (42), and another Vijayalakshmi (43), all from Tholarkudikadu village. Despite receiving prompt medical attention, T Sasikala later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.
Immediate Response and Medical Treatment
Perambalur police responded swiftly to the accident scene, rescuing the injured and transporting them to the Perambalur Government Hospital for urgent treatment. Medical teams worked diligently to stabilize the survivors, but the severity of the injuries proved fatal for one additional victim.
Following the tragedy, police arranged for postmortem examinations of the deceased at the same hospital facility. The bodies were subsequently released to grieving family members for final rites.
Legal Action Against the Driver
In the aftermath of the collision, Perambalur police arrested the car driver, identified as S Gowtham (24) from Tirusulam in Chengalpattu district. Authorities have charged him under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita:
- Section 281 for rash driving
- Section 106(1) for causing death by negligence
- Section 125 for endangering human life
Gowtham was produced before a magistrate for further legal proceedings as the investigation into the exact circumstances of the accident continues.
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
This tragic incident has raised serious questions about pedestrian safety on national highways, particularly during religious pilgrimages when large groups of devotees travel on foot. The Samayapuram Mariamman Temple festival attracts thousands of pilgrims annually, many of whom undertake traditional padayatra journeys as acts of devotion.
Local authorities are now reviewing safety measures along pilgrimage routes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. The loss of four lives in what should have been a spiritual journey has left the community in mourning and prompted calls for improved road safety protocols during religious events.
