If I had not worn a helmet it would have cost me my life: Santhana Krishnan

It was well after midnight in January that Santhana Krishnan met his friends at Saravanmapatty and was returning to his room at Kurumbapalayam where he stays with a couple of friends in a rented accommodation.

He had borrowed his friend’s vehicle as it was too late to take a bus back to his room. His friend, thankfully, handed over his helmet along with his bike.

Santhana Krishnan started from his friend’s house and rode the bike at full speed as the roads were deserted at the time. As it had just rained, the roads were also slippery and his vehicle skidded as he applied the brakes while taking a turn.

His head hit the ground at full speed and force. The helmet he was wearing protected his head. However, he suffered complex fractures on the toes of his left leg. Passersby took him to the nearby private hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He was bedridden for two months.

“Had I not worn a helmet it would have cost me my life,” said Santhana Krishnan now shuddering at the very thought of the speed at which he was travelling when he skidded and fell.

His parents told him not to ride at midnight after the accident. “It is better to lose a minute in life rather losing life in one minute” says the schoolteacher and father of the boy, N. Dharuman. “Speed thrills, but most often kills. Head injuries can cost one’s life. We can’t restrict youngsters from using bikes but can certainly insist that they wear helmets,” the father said.