A Karnataka-based businessman was charred to death when the car he was driving caught fire near Madukkarai on Salem-Kochi highway in the early hours on Sunday.
While Dileep Kumar (28), a resident of Kolar in Karnataka, was trapped inside the burning car, his 35-year-old wife and two children managed to escape.
The accident occurred when the family was travelling to Kochi to visit a relative there, said the police.
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The car caught fire around 2 a.m. when it reached near a toll gate on the highway at Madukkarai in Coimbatore District. Seeing thick smoke and flames emitting from the front portion of the car, Mr. Kumar stopped it. But the flames spread fast to the front seat. While his wife managed to come out from the car with the two children, Mr. Kumar was trapped inside.
The police said that Mr. Kumar could have been trapped inside the car unable to open the door lock or detach the seat belt.
His wife and a few passers-by could not approach the car due to the blaze, the police said.
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Mr. Kumar’s body was retrieved after Fire and Rescue Services team rushed to the spot and put out the flames. Forensic experts visited the accident spot and collected clues.
The Madukkarai police registered a case and are investigating the cause of the fire.