Six-year-old boy dies after tanker lorry runs over him on Ennore Beach Road; driver arrested

Chennai, [Date] — A six-year-old boy died on Saturday after an oil tanker lorry knocked down the two-wheeler on which he was riding pillion, and then ran over him on Ennore Beach Road. The lorry driver has been arrested, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Monish Adhav, son of Maria, 21, a resident of Desiya Nagar Street in Old Washermenpet. Maria was riding her two-wheeler with the boy as pillion when the accident occurred near Palagai Thottikuppam, on Ennore High Road.

According to the Tondiarpet Traffic Investigation Wing police, the oil tanker lorry, approaching from behind, struck their vehicle. The boy fell onto the road and was run over by the tanker. The driver, later identified as Sundaravelu of Maduravoyal, fled the scene without stopping, even as residents rushed to help.

Maria sustained injuries in the fall and has been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Government Stanley Hospital. Her condition is stated to be stable.

Following a complaint, the police registered a case and launched a search for the lorry. The vehicle was traced and Sundaravelu was arrested on the same day. He has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act, police added.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of two-wheeler riders, particularly children riding pillion, on arterial roads where heavy vehicles frequently operate. Traffic safety experts point out that hit-and-run cases involving tankers and lorries have been a recurring concern on Ennore High Road, a corridor used heavily by petroleum and goods carriers.

The police have urged witnesses to come forward to provide statements to strengthen the case. Meanwhile, the body of the child has been sent to a government hospital for post-mortem, and further investigation is underway.