CHENGALPATTU: A family in Sothupakkam near Melmaruvathur was struck by double tragedy within hours after a 48-year-old postman died in hospital, followed by the death of his 70-year-old mother in a road accident as she rushed to see him.
The deceased were identified as Mani (48), a postman at the Kudapakkam post office, and his mother, Alamelu (70).
Mani, son of retired postmaster Nadesan, lived with his wife Leesy, a postal employee at Sithamur, and their two children.
According to police, Mani developed a sudden health complication and was admitted to a private hospital in Melmaruvathur, where he died around 2 am despite treatment.
On learning about her son’s death, Alamelu hurried towards the hospital in distress. While attempting to cross the Chennai–Tiruchy National Highway, she was hit by an unidentified vehicle and died on the spot, police said.
Melmaruvathur police recovered the body and sent it to the Madurantakam Government Hospital for post-mortem.
The back-to-back deaths of the mother and son have left the neighbourhood in shock and mourning.