Infant dies after falling from mother’s arms in Chennai as van hits their two-wheeler

CHENNAI: A seven-month-old baby boy slipped from his mother's arms and died after a load van hit their two-wheeler near Pulianthope on Saturday.

Police, who identified the infant as Azar, said his parents, Anandan and Varalakshmi, were travelling from Elephant Gate to Basin Bridge. Varalakshmi, seated pillion, was carrying Azar in her arms. They were going to a market there, said police. That's when a load van tried to overtake them near Pulianthope. It brushed against the bike's side mirror, causing Anandan to lose balance.

As the two-wheeler fell, police said, Azhar slipped from his mother's grip and hit the road.

He sustained severe head injuries. His father suffered a fracture in his leg, while Varalakshmi escaped with minor injuries.

Passersby and motorists rushed to help the family and took the baby, who was bleeding profusely, to Govt Stanley Medical College and Hospital. There, Azhar died of injuries, while Anandan and Varalakshmi were still undergoing treatment.

The Pulianthope Traffic Investigation Wing (TIW) police arrested the van driver, Purushothaman, for causing death due to negligence, and rash and negligent driving.