Hariharan Shivashankar’s colleagues at office say he was a talented spin bowler, who shined at their recently held intra-office cricket tournament. Enthusiastic over an upcoming office football match, he had decided to practice on Marina Beach with a colleague, in the early hours on Saturday. But the trip to the beach proved fatal for the 23-year-old.
Around 4.45 a.m., Hariharan, a BPO employee at RR Donnelley, was riding pillion on a motorcycle with his colleague, Palaniappan (24).
The two were on Kamarajar Salai, when a speeding lorry rammed into the motorcycle, knocking the two to the ground. Hariharan was run over by the lorry, while Palaniappan escaped with minor injuries.
“The lorry was heading towards Napier Bridge, and rammed into the motorcycle near Lady Willingdon School. Palaniappan lost his balance on impact, and both men fell on to the road,” said Ravichandran, Inspector, Anna Square Traffic Investigation.
The lorry then ran amok, swerved to the other side of the road and finally came to a halt after damaging a stone connecting the steel railing on the walkers’ path in Marina. The driver abandoned the lorry and fled the scene, Mr. Ravichandran added.
Speaking to The Hindu , the victim’s uncle Chandrasekar said the youngsters had left their office on R. K. Salai early in the morning, having obtained special permission, and were heading to Marina for a football training session for the upcoming intra-office tournament.
“Hariharan was also preparing for his company secretaryship and had planned to go to the United States for higher studies,” he added.
Traffic police have seized the lorry and a hunt is on for the driver.
