Madurai, May 18 (IANS) A devastating road accident near Madurai in Tamil Nadu claimed the lives of five members of the same family, including three women, after their car crashed into a roadside barrier on a four-lane highway near Ayyapatti, close to Melur, on late Sunday evening.

The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the region and left residents and relatives grieving over the sudden loss of an entire family.

According to police officials, the victims had travelled to the famous Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Tiruchirappalli for worship and were returning home to Madurai when the accident occurred.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the vehicle lost control while travelling along the highway before violently crashing into the side safety wall.

The impact of the collision was severe, causing extensive damage to the car and resulting in the death of all five occupants on the spot.

Police identified the deceased as Prakash from Anna Nagar in Madurai and four of his relatives, including another male member identified as Ramesh.

The remaining victims included three women from the same family.

Authorities are yet to release the complete identities of all the victims pending formal procedures and notification of extended family members.

Local residents and motorists who witnessed the crash immediately alerted the Kottampatti police.

Emergency teams and police personnel rushed to the accident site and began rescue and recovery operations.

The bodies of the victims were recovered from the mangled vehicle and later shifted to Melur Government Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police officials said an investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Investigators are examining whether factors such as overspeeding, driver fatigue, loss of vehicle control, or mechanical failure may have contributed to the accident.

The deaths of the five family members have cast a pall of gloom over Madurai, with many describing the incident as one of the most heartbreaking road tragedies in recent weeks.

The accident has once again raised concerns over highway safety and the growing number of fatal road accidents across Tamil Nadu.

–IANS

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