In a tragic accident, three persons of the same family died after the SUV they were travelling in fell from an under-construction flyover near Red Hills on Thursday night.
Since the bridge was partially barricaded, the vehicle took the flyover and fell from a height of over 30 feet into a pit full of rainwater. Two others, including the driver, were injured.
According to police, Palani, 65, his wife Navaneetham, 55, and their daughter Pavithra, 26, died on the spot. Ayyapan, their son-in-law and Kandavel, the driver, sustained injuries and have been admitted to hospital.
Palani, a realtor, is from Manimangalam in Sriperumbudur taluk in Kancheepuram district. On Thursday morning, the family had gone to Minjur, in three cars, to attend a function. The accident happened around 9.30 p.m., when they were returning home.
The car was driven by Kandavel. Palani and Navaneetham were in the middle seat and Ayyapan and Pavithra were in the rear seat. The vehicle took the Outer Ring Road that connects Minjur to Vandalur.
Sunderram, Ayyapan’s relative, who was in the car behind the one that met with the accident, said that out of four stone barricades, two were removed. “The driver thought the bridge was open and drove through. It was wide enough for cars to pass,” he told The Hindu .
No time for warning
“Those travelling in the cars behind saw the GPS on the phone and found that it was incomplete. Before they could warn Kandavel over phone, the vehicle fell from the edge of the flyover,” said M.C. Siva, a relative.
Ayyapan wriggled out from the shattered rear window panes. “He tried to save Pavitra, but she had died. They got married four years ago. Kandavel also managed to escape,” he said.
Local residents, who had gathered at the spot, said the barricades were removed a few days ago for a film shooting. “I have not seen work on the flyover for the past few months. There should have been some barricades at the edge of the flyover too. Had there been barricades, the accident would not have taken place,” said Jagadeesan, a resident. The Sholavaram police have registered a case and are investigating.
