Chennai: Boy, 17, dies as bike slams into van, helmet shatters

CHENNAI: A 17-year-old biker died after he smashed into a van whose driver braked suddenly to take an ‘U’ turn near Poonamallee on Friday.
The boy was wearing a helmet, but it broke into pieces after he hit the road, police said. His mother riding pillion escaped with minor injuries. The deceased youth, identified as Govardhanan, was a resident of Nolambur near Maduravoyal.
Witnesses told police that after the van stopped suddenly Govardhanan lost control and slammed against the van proceeding in front of his twowheeler on Anakaputhur flyover on Tambaram-Maduravoyal bypass. The van driver did not put turn signal on.
While Govardhanan’s mother Raniammal fell on plants on the median the boy landed on road pulpit. Poonamallee traffic investigation inspector Kausalya said, “Though Govardhanan was wearing a helmet as soon as he hit the road, the headgear broke and he suffered a severe injury to the head.”
Police sent him to the Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) hospital. However, doctors declared him brought dead. The Poonamallee traffic investigation police registered a case under Section 304 (A) (death due to negligent driving) and arrested van driver Immanuel Raj, 23.
Police said the teenager may have bought the helmet from an unauthorised dealer, which didn’t have ISI mark. This has claimed his life. The investigation officer also said that she would alter Sections of IPC and involve Govardhanan’s father or relative who allowed the teenage boy who didn’t possess a valid licence.