Women bank manager killed, 2 hurt, as tree falls on car

Chennai, June 25 (DumaniMail) In a freak mishap, a 57-year-old bank manager was killed, while her sister and driver sustained injuries when a huge tree got uprooted and fell on the car in which they were travelling at K.K. Nagar area in the city last evening. Police sources said the tree fell due to the earth being dug up near it for storm water drainage works being taken up in various parts of the city to prevent flooding during the ensuing northeast monsoon season The deceased was identified as Vani Kabilan, working as manager in the public sector Indian Overseas Bank.
The tree crashed when she was travelling in the car along with her 52-year-old sister Ezhilarasi. The siblings were sitting in the backseat when the tragedy occurred. The car was driven by Karthik. When they were on their way to attend some work, a huge tree on the roadside crashed on their car and the duo were trapped inside. The driver managed to get out of the car by opening the door. Though, the locals and passersby rescued Ezhilarasi from the car, Vani sustained grievous injuries as she was trapped inside, leading to her death. Police and Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to ESI Hospital in K.K.Nagar, while Vani’s body was sent to government hospital for post-mortem. The uprooted tree was later cleared by the civic officials. Police have registered a case of accidental death and are investigating to ascertain the cause of the incident. Meanwhile, in a statement last night, the Greater Chennai Corporation said that no work, including stormwater drain construction, was taken up in the last two days. The work was stopped on June 22, about 10 ft away from the tree. Preliminary investigations revealed that the 50-year-old tree got uprooted due to rain in the last two days and because of the wet ground. A detailed inquiry had been ordered, it said.