Chennai: A 32-year-old-mother of three was killed in a freak accident, involving a crane used for metro rail work, in the service lane of GN Chetty Road, on Friday.
The incident prompted the kith and kin of the deceased, Nirmala, (32), a resident of MK Radha Nagar, Teynampet, and the mother of a toddler, to block traffic in the narrow service lane for about 30 minutes. Police said Nirmala, who worked as a housemaid, was returning home when the accident occurred.
She dropped the garbage she was carrying after work in a corporation dumper bin in the service lane of GN Chetty Road near GK Moopanar Memorial. While doing so her saree got disheveled, and she held her hand across to hold the loose end from further disheveling. In the process, her saree got entangled to the crane which was passing by.
The crane dragged her for about a couple of meters before she came under the rear wheels and died on the spot. Fearing mob justice, the crane operator abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
As the news about the accident spread, her relatives and neighbours descended on the accident spot. They refused to allow police to remove the body before arresting the crane operator. "This is a service lane exclusively for light motor vehicles. Why did the crane come through this? We don't know who authorised cranes and other heavy vehicles to ply by this lane," said Iruthaya Mary, Nirmala's mother-in-law.
Pondy Bazaar traffic investigation wing cops held talks with the protesters, pacified them and moved the crane and the body. Traffic was restored in the service lane after about 30 minutes. A case was registered and efforts are on to trace the crane operator.
