Two crushed to death by tanker lorry

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, APRIL 27. A young woman and her three-year-old son were crushed to death by a water tanker lorry at Arya Gowda Road and Brindavan Street Extension this morning, turning the spotlight on the threat faced by road users from these vehicles.

The accident sparked tension in the area with an irate mob damaging the tanker. The crew of the ill-fated vehicle fled the scene. The victims were rushed to hospital in vain.

Police identified the victims as Rama Bai (30) of Brindavan Street Extension and her son Prashant. According to eyewitnesses, the victim was standing at the junction of Brindavan Street Extension and Arya Gowda Road to cross the street. The loaded Metrowater lorry knocked down the two while negotiating a left turn into Brindavan Street Extension.

The stretch of Brindavan Street Extension was strewn with glass pieces from the smashed windshields of the damaged tanker. Road users face the risk of being knocked down by speeding tanker lorries being pressed into service to meet the water scarcity situation. With elections round the corner the authorities are taking all measures to ensure there are no demonstrations by residents to protest delayed water supply which has compounded the problem, it is learnt.

A common complaint is that water tanker vehicles in poor condition and inexperienced drivers have deployed to meet the demand. The drivers tend to lose control while moving in the busy traffic with about 12,000 litres of water.

In another accident, an eight-year-old girl who was cycling near her house was knocked down by an oil tanker on New Kulakarai Street in Otteri, today.

According to police, the victim was knocked down from behind by the lorry.

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