R. Subasri
Woman run over after banner falls on her in Chennai
R. Subasri was returning from her office in Perungudi
A young woman riding a two-wheeler on Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road in Pallikaranai was run over by a water tanker on Thursday after a hoarding fell on her.
R. Subasri, 22, of Nemilicheri, Chromepet, was returning from her office in Perungudi. The banner that fell on her was erected by C. Jayagopal, an AIADMK functionary, for his son’s wedding at a nearby marriage hall.
The police said that around 2.45 p.m., Ms. Subasri took the route from Perungudi to Chromepet. Several banners protruded from the median, distracting motorists on the road. A banner tied to the median fell on her. She lost control of the vehicle and fell. A water tanker following her vehicle ran over her, eyewitnesses said. Members of the public immediately rushed her to a private hospital nearby, but she was declared brought dead.
Police have arrested lorry driver Manoj for rash driving and causing death due to negligence. A senior police official said action would be taken against the political functionary who had placed the banners on the road after officials of the Chennai Corporation lodged a police complaint.
DMK president M.K. Stalin tweeted that the callous attitude of the government, irresponsibility of officials and incapability of police to control illegal banners had snuffed out a young life in its prime. The Twitter handle of Deputy CM O. Panneerselvam (@OfficeOfOPS) put out a picture of him greeting the couple whose wedding was advertised on the banners.