Stray Cow Collision Claims Life in Chennai, Wife Injured in Tragic Accident
A 49-year-old man was tragically killed after a stray cow rammed into his two-wheeler near the Mathur toll plaza in Chennai on Thursday evening. His wife, who was riding pillion, sustained minor injuries in the incident, which has reignited concerns over stray cattle on city roads.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Arungiri, 49, and his wife Devi, 40, were traveling to Madhavaram to visit a relative in a hospital. As they passed by the Mathur toll gate, a stray cow suddenly darted across the road and collided with their vehicle. Arungiri lost balance and fell, suffering severe head injuries. Passersby quickly alerted emergency services, and he was rushed to Govt Stanley Medical College and Hospital. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries en route, according to police reports.
Police Investigation and Official Response
Police have launched a probe into the accident and are actively working to identify the owner of the cow. A case has been registered, and the investigation is ongoing. Officials from the Manali zone of the Chennai city corporation were informed about the incident, leading to the deployment of teams to round up stray cattle in the area. This move aims to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
History of Stray Cattle Incidents in Chennai
This incident is the latest in a series of fatal accidents linked to stray cattle on roads in and around Chennai. In December 2025, S Rajkumar, 52, an assistant engineer with TNEB, and Venkatesan, 58, were killed near Guduvanchery after a speeding van hit two cows, lost control, and crashed into multiple vehicles. That accident also left two women and a pedestrian grievously injured, while the cattle died.
In another case reported in August last year, a 22-year-old law student, Sonu of Thiruninravur, was killed and his friend Praveen, 23, was injured after their motorcycle skidded on the Vandalur-Minjur Outer Ring Road when a cow crossed their path. These repeated incidents have prompted residents to urge authorities to implement stricter measures to clear stray cattle from arterial roads, highlighting an ongoing public safety issue.
