Couple run over by water tanker

By S. Shivakumar

CHENNAI, MAY 14. The menace posed by water tankers in the city continues. A couple was the latest victim of these speeding vehicles, on CPT Road, Taramani, today. The vehicle, moving at a great speed, overturned after the driver applied brakes.

Police identified the victims as Narayanan (50) and his wife Paravathi (45) of Kottur.

According to police, the victims were crossing the road when the lorry ran over them. The driver lost control of the vehicle after the accident and it turned turtle in the adjoining field.

An eyewitness said the couple had just taken a few steps onto the road when they noticed the vehicle speeding towards Adyar signal from Palavakkam. They were too shocked to react and the vehicle ran over them.

The incident has again turned the spotlight on the reckless driving by heavy vehicles and poor law enforcement by police. With the police turning a blind eye to the problem, things are taking a turn for the worse.

During last month alone three persons, including a mother and her son, were killed by water tankers. While one victim was fatally knocked down on Madley Street on April 2, a woman and her son were killed at Arya Gowda Street and Brindavan Street Extension in West Mambalam on April 27.

Investigation into Monday's accident revealed that it was driven by a 22-year-old driver Dhanasekaran of Thiruvannamalai. Police said the vehicle belonged to a Palavakkam-based private operator.

While the Metrowater has warned that it would cancel the licence of operators whose vehicles are involved in road accidents, only strict law enforcement by police could be a deterrent to drivers of private water tankers, some city residents feel.

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Section  : Southern States
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