The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Woman killed, four hurt as bus runs amok

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 25, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Woman killed, four hurt as bus runs amok

By K. Manikandan

CHENNAI, NOV. 24. An out of control Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus knocked down and killed a woman riding pillion on a motorcycle near the Stanley Hospital in north Chennai today.

The victim, Susheela (25), sitting behind her husband, Shantilal, carrying their two-month-old son, was on her way from Korukkupet to Parry's Corner to get a polio shot for the child.

Police said the brakes of the bus failed, but MTC officials put the blame on the driver.

Shantilal, driving down Maniyakkara Chathiram Street, got the green signal to go straight and reach Prakasam Road, when the bus hit the motorcycle.

The MTC bus (TN-01-N-1782) on route No. 8A, on its way to High Court from Thiru Vi. Ka. Nagar, was heading towards Ebrahimji Street from the Old Jail Road. Police said it struck a two autorickshaws and a scooter waiting at the signal before knocking down the motorcycle and dragging it for some metres before coming to a halt.

Susheela died on the spot, while her husband was severely injured.

The infant, however, miraculously escaped unhurt.

Traffic police at the signal and residents rushed Shantilal to the Stanley Medical College Hospital in a fish cart.

Doctors attending to Shantilal at Ward No. 9 said he had suffered multiple rib fractures and lost a lot of blood.

Three other people in the two autorickshaws, including a woman, also sustained injuries. Ekambaram, driver of the five-seater share auto, who was admitted to hospital, said he was waiting at the Stanley Junction around 11.30 a.m. when the bus bore down on them.

"My auto was hit by the bus and I lost control. I tried to turn the auto, but the handlebar was jammed," he said, adding that the two autorickshaws overturned in the impact.

Kasimedu police said the MTC driver, 51-year-old Shahabuddin, had told them that the brakes had failed.

A senior MTC official however said there was nothing wrong with the bus and that the driver was to blame.

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