Nine-year-old boy locked in parked car dies of suffocation in Coimbatore

In a tragic incident, a nine-year-old boy died of suffocation after getting locked inside a car that was parked in front of his house at Pethikuttai near Sirumugai in Coimbatore district on Saturday (August 8, 2026). The police identified the deceased as V. Mukund, son of Velumani and Sumathi.

According to the police, a teacher from Pollachi, who works at Sirumugai, used to park his car in front of Velumani's house while travelling to his hometown on holidays. On Friday (August 7, 2026), the teacher left the car and gave the key to Velumani for safekeeping.

The teacher returned around 3.15 p.m. on Saturday and opened the car, only to find the boy unconscious inside. Mukund was immediately rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the boy accessed the car using a button on the key fob after his father had left the house at around 1.30 p.m. The doors likely locked automatically once the boy was inside, and he did not know how to open them, leading to suffocation.

A police officer stated, "We suspect the boy entered the car after his father left the house. The car doors got locked after he got inside, and tragically, he was unable to get out." The officer added that the exact sequence of events is being confirmed, and further inquiry is underway.

The incident has left the local community in shock, with neighbours expressing grief over the sudden loss of a young life. Authorities have stressed the importance of keeping car keys and remote fobs out of reach of children, and ensuring that parked cars are securely locked to prevent such accidents.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by unattended vehicles, especially for children. Safety experts have repeatedly pointed out that cars can heat up quickly and become lethal within a short time, particularly in hot weather. Even on a relatively moderate day, the inside of a closed car can reach fatal temperatures.

The Coimbatore police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. They have also appealed to parents and caregivers to supervise children at all times and to educate them about the risks of playing inside vehicles.

The body of the boy has been handed over to the family after post-mortem examination. Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.