Pongal revelry turns tragic: 8 killed, 1 hurt in road mishap

Eight persons were killed and one injured as their car they were travelling in rammed into a roadside tree near in Cuddalore on Saturday, police said.

The nine were proceeding to a temple at C N Palayam village in a car to witness the Pongal celebration there when the mishap occurred at Vanamadevi near Nellikuppam, about 30 km from here, police said.

According to police, the driver of the car, 27-year-old Selvam, lost control and the vehicle crashed into a roadside tamarind tree, leaving eight of its occupants dead and one other injured. The injured has been hospitalised, a police official said.

The victims were in the age group of 20-35 years and working in private companies in Cuddalore, police added District Superintendent of Police C Vijayakumar and DSP Ramamurthy visited the spot.