Accidents Across Coimbatore: One Killed, Several Injured as Road Fatalities Continue to Rise

Coimbatore:

A series of road accidents reported from different parts of Coimbatore over the past two days claimed one life and left several others injured, even as official data revealed a sharp rise in road fatalities across the district this year.

Road accidents continue to be a major concern in Coimbatore, with the district recording 1,501 accidents during the first six months of 2026, resulting in 387 deaths and 1,660 injuries. According to police data, 367 fatal accidents claimed 387 lives between January 1 and June 30, while 1,134 non-fatal accidents left 1,660 people injured. The number of fatalities marks a 20% increase compared to the corresponding period last year.

In the latest fatal accident, Durairaj (54), a resident of Chinna Gurusamy Layout in Singanallur, was killed after an unidentified four-wheeler allegedly rammed into his scooter near the small bridge at Vellalur on the Vellalur–Singanallur Road on Sunday evening.

Police said Durairaj was travelling towards Singanallur when the speeding vehicle hit his scooter from behind before fleeing the scene. He suffered severe head injuries and was rushed to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. Based on a complaint lodged by his wife, Saritha, the Traffic Investigation Wing (West) police have registered a hit-and-run case and are examining CCTV footage to identify the offending vehicle.

In another accident, Ponbabu (38), a native of Bihar working in Coimbatore, sustained injuries after he was knocked down by a Bullet motorcycle while walking near Thadagam School in Kanuvai late on Saturday night. The rider, Muthuraj (25) of Kanuvai, suffered serious head and neck injuries in the crash. Both were admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, and a case has been registered.

A pedestrian, Dineshkumar (30) of Sukrawarpet, sustained serious injuries after being hit by a lorry near the Ukkadam Five Roads junction while attempting to cross the road. He was admitted to Ganga Hospital for treatment. Police have booked the lorry driver, Ravi (60) of Salem district, and are investigating the accident.

In a separate incident on the Coimbatore–Pollachi Main Road near Pongaliyamman Temple, Rajaram (56) of Civil Aerodrome was injured after being struck by a Bullet motorcycle while crossing the road. The motorcycle was ridden by Christy Thomas (37), a resident of Alappuzha, Kerala. Rajaram, who sustained head injuries, is undergoing treatment at KMCH. Police have registered a case.

In another accident, a 60-year-old woman, Suppal, suffered serious hip injuries after she was hit by a scooter near Chinniyampalayam on Avinashi Road. Police said the rider, Chandrasekar (32) of Neelikonampalayam, was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. He also sustained injuries and was shifted to KMCH after receiving first aid at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. The Traffic Investigation Wing (East) police have registered a case and are continuing their investigation.

With road accidents continuing to claim lives across the district, police have intensified enforcement measures at identified accident-prone locations and urged motorists to strictly adhere to traffic rules, avoid overspeeding and drunken driving, and use appropriate safety gear while on the road.