The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Rajya Sabha MP and advocate N R Elango’s son Rakesh Ranganathan, 22, died on the spot in a road accident near Kottakuppam on the East Coast Road while he was on his way from Chennai to Puducherry in the wee hours of Thursday, police said. His friend and co-passenger K Vedha Vikash, 21, sustained grievous injuries in the crash.
“Ranganathan was at the wheel. He died on the spot. We have handed over his body to his family,” deputy superintendent of police (DSP) B Arun of Kottakuppam in Villupuram said. “The car was travelling at a high speed when a cow suddenly crossed the road. As they tried to avoid hitting the animal, they lost balance and the car hit a divider,” said the DSP. The vehicle toppled in the impact.
Police used a JCB to retrieve the vehicle. Locals and personnel from the fire and rescue services rushed to the spot to help with the rescue. Vikash was rushed to the Puducherry Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where he is currently undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, several DMK leaders expressed their condolences.