Chennai, Oct 12 (NationPress) A tragic multi-vehicle accident claimed the lives of at least four individuals on the Bengaluru-Chennai National Highway, close to Hosur in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu on Sunday morning.

The collision took place around 4 a.m. near the Perandapalli forest stretch when a speeding car crashed into a pickup truck ahead of it, causing a chain reaction that involved multiple vehicles.

According to police reports, the car, which was heading from Hosur to Krishnagiri, initially hit the pickup, prompting a lorry behind to collide with the wreckage. This set off a domino effect, leading to extensive traffic disruption for nearly two hours on the busy highway.

All four passengers in the car died at the scene due to the severe impact. One of the deceased has been identified as Mukilan (30) from Omalur in Salem district. He was reportedly preparing for the UPSC exams at a private coaching institute in Bengaluru. Efforts are ongoing to identify the other three victims.

Emergency response teams from the police and fire services quickly arrived at the scene to remove the twisted vehicles.

The deceased have been transported to Hosur Government Hospital for post-mortem examinations.

Initial investigations indicate that drowsy driving may have been a contributing factor to this incident. A police officer noted, "It seems the driver of the car may have briefly dozed off while navigating through the forested area."

Authorities are urging drivers to refrain from undertaking long journeys during odd hours. An official cautioned, "Even a moment of drowsiness can lead to fatal consequences," emphasizing the need for rest breaks during night travel.

This incident is part of a concerning trend of deadly road accidents in the area. Last month, a collision between a private bus and a truck near Vellore resulted in five fatalities.

Additionally, in another tragic event in August, three engineering students lost their lives in a car accident near Krishnagiri while returning from Bengaluru late at night.

Tamil Nadu consistently reports one of the highest rates of road fatalities in the country, with over 16,000 deaths recorded in 2024 alone. Authorities have continuously urged drivers to adhere to speed limits, ensure proper rest, and avoid traveling at night—an emphasis tragically highlighted by the recent accident near Hosur.