Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Dec 16: A major accident on Thoppur Ghat Road in Dharmapuri district left four people dead and at least three others seriously injured on Tuesday, bringing traffic along the busy Salem–Dharmapuri National Highway to a halt for nearly two hours.

The crash occurred when a lorry carrying cattle fodder from Maharashtra to Namakkal district lost control while descending the ghat stretch. The vehicle, driven by 43-year-old S. Muniappan of Nadukkarapatti, Namakkal, collided with a two-wheeler, a parcel van, a car, and another van caught in traffic. Muniappan and two occupants of the two-wheeler, P. Arunagiri and his sister V. Kalaiarasi from Madhemangalam, Dharmapuri, died on the spot.

Another injured passenger, 30-year-old P. Dinesh from Pethanaickenpalayam near Attur, succumbed en route to the hospital, bringing the death toll to four.

Four other van passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Dharmapuri Government Medical College Hospital. The collision caused significant disruption, with police and highway authorities clearing the wreckage and debris to restore normal traffic after roughly two hours.

Dharmapuri District Collector R. Sadheesh, along with senior Transport Department officials, visited the scene to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. The Thoppur police have registered a case and launched a detailed probe into possible causes, including driver fatigue and mechanical failure.