8 Students Dead In Kerala Crash. Their Car Rammed Parked Lorry Last Night - NDTV

**Eight Tamil Nadu students killed as car collides with parked lorry on NH‑66, Thrissur**

A tragic road accident claimed the lives of eight college students from Tamil Nadu on the night of 27 August 2026 when their private car slammed into a stationary lorry on National Highway 66 near Thrissur, Kerala. The vehicle, reportedly carrying the students back from an inter‑state cultural program, lost control on a sharp bend and struck the lorry, which was parked on the shoulder of the highway. Emergency services arrived within minutes, but despite intensive medical intervention at nearby hospitals, all eight passengers – aged between 18 and 22 – were pronounced dead. Police officials recovered the bodies at the crash site and launched a preliminary investigation to determine whether driver fatigue, speed, or road‑condition factors contributed to the collision.

Kerala Transport Minister **Janeesh** (Minister for Road Safety) visited the scene early on Sunday and announced an immediate review of safety measures on NH‑66, a route that has witnessed a series of serious accidents in recent months. “We must assess the adequacy of signage, lighting, and the enforcement of speed limits on this stretch, especially where vehicles are forced to share space with parked freight,” the minister said, adding that a task force will be set up to recommend engineering and regulatory interventions. The Kerala Police have recorded statements from the driver, who survived with non‑life‑threatening injuries, and are examining the lorry’s positioning, which was reportedly authorized for loading‑unloading operations at the time of the crash.

The incident has sparked grief and outrage across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, with student unions demanding stricter enforcement of traffic rules and better emergency response capabilities on national highways. The families of the victims have been escorted to the state capital for official condolences, while the college administration has pledged financial assistance for funeral expenses. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have urged any witnesses to come forward to aid in reconstructing the events that led to one of the deadliest student‑related road tragedies in the region this year.

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