Tragedy on Tiruvallur Highway: Three Family Members Killed in NHAI Site Crash

TIRUVALLUR, Tamil Nadu: A tragic accident claimed the lives of three family members, including a nine-month-old infant, while three others sustained serious injuries in a car crash at a road-widening project site near Pallipattu on Tuesday morning.

According to Pallipattu police, the six-member family from Govindareddipalle village in Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, was on a pilgrimage to the Tiruttani Murugan temple. The group included S Chittamma, her daughter Keerthi, infant grandson H Saanvik, brother-in-law Vishwanatha Reddy, his wife Rekha, and Padma, a household worker.

The SUV, driven by Vishwanatha Reddy, was traveling on the Thachur-Chittoor highway, which is under development to become a six-lane road by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Near the Thirumalrajupet bridge in Pallipattu, still under construction, the vehicle lost control on an unfinished section and collided with a concrete wall.

Police investigations revealed that there were no proper signage or barricades to warn drivers of the hazard, potentially contributing to the accident. Padma died on the spot, while Saanvik and Reddy succumbed to injuries later the same day. Chittamma, Keerthi, and Rekha are receiving treatment at the Christian Medical College and Hospital in Ranipet.

The deceased were sent for autopsy, and Pallipattu police have filed a case. Authorities are investigating further to determine the exact cause and any negligence involved. NHAI officials have confirmed they will examine the incident and take necessary action to prevent such tragedies in the future.