The lack of a centre median, compounded by poor lighting, claimed the lives of three persons when the cars they were travelling in collided in Kanathur on the ECR on Sunday night.
The accident occurred around 9 p.m., nearly 500 feet away from Mayajaal.
According to the police, four youngsters were returning from Mahabalipuram towards Chennai in a Hyundai Santro car, while a woman, a middle-aged man and two children were travelling from Chennai to Tirukazhikundram in a Tata Nano car. The two vehicles collided with each other when they reached Kanathur.
The woman died on the spot and two youngsters who were in the Santro car died on the way to a hospital.
“The family in the Nano car were returning home after distributing wedding invitations. The youngsters in the Santro car are suspected to have been in a drunken state,” said a police source.
Five others who were injured have been admitted to two private hospitals in critical conditions.
Residents who came to the victims’ rescue said there is no lighting in the locality. “It was difficult to find out who was lying where. It is high time the government takes note of this as cars speed on this stretch and the lack of a centre median makes it prone to accidents,” said a resident.
