In a heartbreaking double tragedy, an 80-year-old woman lost her life in a road accident on Monday night while on her way to a hospital to see the body of her son, who had died earlier due to a heart ailment near Melmaruvathur in Tamil Nadu.
The deceased woman has been identified as Alamelu. Her son, Mani (52), had been admitted to a private hospital in Melmaruvathur after complaining of chest pain and discomfort. Doctors said he suffered a heart attack and died despite efforts to save him.
Rushed to hospital after son’s death
According to the police, upon receiving news of Mani’s death, Alamelu and other relatives immediately rushed towards the hospital to see his body. The family was reportedly in deep shock following the sudden loss.
While attempting to cross the busy Chennai–Trichy National Highway near Melmaruvathur, Alamelu was hit by a speeding vehicle. She sustained severe injuries and died on the spot, police said.
Body sent for postmortem
Alamelu’s body was later shifted to the government hospital in Madurantakam for a postmortem examination. The accident has added to the family’s grief, as they were preparing to mourn Mani’s death when tragedy struck again.
Police investigation underway
Melmaruvathur police have registered a case in connection with the accident and are investigating the circumstances, including vehicle speed and visibility conditions at the time of the incident. Officials said further action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.
Renewed concern over highway safety
The incident has once again drawn attention to pedestrian safety on national highways, particularly in semi-urban stretches where people frequently cross busy roads to access hospitals and essential services. Residents have repeatedly demanded better safety measures, including pedestrian crossings and speed controls, to prevent such tragedies.
The deaths of both mother and son within hours have left the local community in shock, underscoring the sudden and devastating nature of road accidents and medical emergencies.