CHENNAI: A 51-year-old woman with poor vision drank cleaning acid mistaking it for water and died at Ayapakkam on Saturday.
Police said the deceased, Menaka, was living with her son Selvam and his wife in Ayapakkam. Menaka was a diabetic and had a poor vision.
On Saturday, Selvam and his wife left for work around 8.30am. Menaka, who was alone at home, took tablets to manage her diabetes around 11am and looked for water. She noticed a bottle on top of the fridge and drank it. She cried in pain immediately and neighbours rushed her to a private hospital nearby. She was later shifted to Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, where she died on Saturday evening.
“We couldn’t record Menaka’s statement as she was in no position to say anything. The acid left her with severe burns in the mouth and throat,” said an investigating officer. Police said Menaka couldn’t differentiate between the water and acid bottles due to poor vision.
The Tirumullaivoyal police on information registered a case. Further investigation is on.