A jawan was killed after a T-90 tank he took out on a test ride went out of control and rammed another tank on the premises of the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment in Avadi on Friday.
Two other army personnel in the tank escaped with injuries.
According to S. Mohammed Abdul Muthalif, Inspector, Avadi Tank Factory police, the accident took place around 9 a.m. when the T-90 tank led by Subedar Premchand (33) was put to test along with drivers B. Harris (28) and Senthil Kumar (28).
“During the course of the ride, the lever meant for making a left turn failed, leading to the armoured combat vehicle ramming another tank parked in a shed in the CVRDE compound. Harris, who was seated under the driver's hatch on the left side of the tank above the main gun, bore the impact completely and died on the spot,” Mr. Muthalif said.
Premchand and Senthil Kumar suffered minor injuries, he added.
A police team from the Avadi Tank Factory carried out an investigation. A case under Sections 304 A (Causing death by negligence), 279 (Rash driving) and 337 (Causing hurt by act endangering life) of IPC has been registered. No one was arrested till Friday night.
Police sources said testing of army tanks took place on a regular basis in the CVRDE compound before they were inducted into the army for active combat. Harris hailed from Awarappakkam in Vaniyambadi, Vellore.
