Four children, including two sisters, killed in van accident in Dindigul

Four children, including two sisters, were killed on Sunday, August 30, 2026, when a milk van hit them near Vadamadurai in Dindigul district. The children were playing on the roadside close to a national highway when the van, reportedly moving at speed, lost control and struck them.

The victims have been identified as Yogavarshini (11), daughter of Nagaraj; Ananya (6), her younger sister; Dhanusri (5), daughter of Jagadeesan; and Mosikaran (6), son of Chinnathambi. All four died on the spot, the police said.

Anjammal (60) of Kanavaimedu near Kollapatti Samathuvapuram, a relative of the children, was grazing goats nearby at the time of the accident. She fainted after seeing the incident and was taken to a primary health centre, where she is said to be stable.

Local residents who gathered at the spot alerted the emergency helpline and helped shift the bodies to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Dindigul for autopsy. The police have registered a case and initiated an inquiry.

The driver, identified as Saravana Kumar of Kurunthampatti near Ayyalur, had fled immediately after the accident. He was later tracked down and arrested by the Vadamadurai police, who also seized the milk van.

Preliminary investigation has indicated that the driver was operating the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner, causing it to go out of control. A confession has been recorded from the accused, the police said, adding that further investigation is under way.

The incident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by children playing near highways in rural areas. While no official statement has been made, the local community has expressed grief over the loss of young lives.