For a 27-year-old motorcycle rider who was caught by a police team for suspected drunk driving in Ayanavaram, a bike lying nearby perhaps seemed like a ticket to freedom. The attempt to escape ended tragically after he skidded and fell and later succumbed to his injuries
The incident took place around 10 p.m. when a team from the ICF police station was conducting vehicle checks near the ICF bus terminus on Kunnur High Road. The victim, identified as Vidyashankar, a marketing executive with a construction company and a resident of Ambal Nagar 3 Cross Street, Thiruninravur, was heading home on his Hero Hulk motorcycle after attending his friend’s birthday party in T. Nagar.
“The ICF police team intercepted Vidyashankar and he was booked for riding under the influence of alcohol. He was hanging around the team as his two-wheeler was seized. Subsequently, the team moved a 100 metres ahead and started intercepting more vehicles,” said R. Thentamizhvalavan, Inspector of Police, Thirumangalam traffic investigation.
Vidyashankar, who was tailing the team in an attempt to get back his motorcycle, spotted a TVS Apache motorcycle belonging to Home Guard Udayakumar who was on duty along with the ICF team. “As the motorcycle had a faulty ignition system, it required no key to start. Vidyashankar tried to flee with the vehicle. When he came on New Avadi Road, the vehicle skidded, he fell on the pavement and injured his head badly,” the officer added.
The police team called in the 108 ambulance service and rushed him to the Government Kilpauk hospital. He succumbed to his injuries around 4 a.m. on Saturday.