A police officer from Chennai who was riding on a damaged road in the city was mowed down by a corporation garbage truck on Wednesday. According to reports, Palani Kumar, a 44-year-old head constable in the city, was hit by a garbage truck when he was on his way from the Vyasarpadi police station.
According to one report in the Times of India, Palani Kumar worked at the Kodungaiyur Police Station while also serving as a Level II Intelligence Wing Officer at the Vyasarpadi and MKB Nagar Police Stations.
He reportedly lost control of his bike at the Mullai Nagar-SM Road junction when he was on his way to the MKB Nagar station. Reports say that a garbage truck, on its way from Anna Nagar to the Kodungaiyur dump yard, mowed him down as Palani Kumar attempted to bring his vehicle to a stop.
According to one report in The New Indian Express, the stretch of the road around the junction is full of sand and gravel. This combination reportedly made it greasy terrain.
However, one investigating official told the newspaper that around 11:45 pm, Palani Kumar’s bike slipped on the gravel and entered a pothole. It was then that he lost control, falling on the road. It was after this that the corporation garbage truck reportedly ran over him.
Seeing the accident, passers-by called an ambulance. Palani Kumar’s body was taken to the Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital even as the Pulianthope police registered a case against A Francis, the driver of the garbage truck. A post mortem was conducted following which his body was handed over to his family.
Hailing from Madurai, Palani Kumar is survived by his wife and three daughters.
Source: The News Minute