10-year-old on her way to school run over by ‘speeding’ water tanker near Chennai

The two were thrown off the vehicle upon impact and while the woman fell on one side of the road, the girl fell on the other side and was crushed under the truck’s wheels, officers said. The truck driver fled the spot immediately.

An official attached to the Pallikaranai traffic investigation wing said the girl was declared dead on arrival at the hospital. The truck driver, identified as David Rajan, 28, was arrested later.

Speaking to reporters, the girl’s mother Keerthi said the water tanker brushed against her two-wheeler, causing her to lose balance and fall. She added that none of the other motorists came to their rescue. “I fell down and I carried my daughter to the hospital myself,” she said.

Local residents said work for the Chennai Metro Rail had worsened the traffic congestion in the area and despite an advisory from officials against allowing heavy vehicles on the stretch during peak hours, such vehicles have been plying on the route causing major inconvenience to other motorists.

“The roads are damaged due to the Metro work. We have provided strict instructions to heavy vehicles not to enter this stretch during peak hours, i.e. from 8 am to noon and from 4 pm to 8 pm. However, despite the advisory, some manage to enter through some connecting road,” the officer said.

“The girl’s body has been sent to Chrompet Government Hospital for post-mortem. Her father, who works abroad, is on his way,” the officer added. The driver was booked under IPC sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence).