Hours after 23-year-old Subhasri was killed in Chennai after an AIADMK banner fell on her and then a tanker lorry ran over her, social media was abuzz with anger, empathy and questions over her death.
While most reactions centred around demanding punishment for those responsible for erecting the party hoardings, some doubts were raised about whether Subhasri was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Putting to rest such speculation, the police said that Subhasri was indeed wearing a helmet while she was driving her two-wheeler back to home on Thursday afternoon when she met with the fatal accident.
“Subhasri was wearing a helmet while she met with the accident,” Inspector Ravikumar of the St Thomas Mount Traffic Investigation told TNM on Thursday. He also said that Subhasri suffered grievous injuries to her arms, shoulders and ribs on the impact of the accident which could have caused internal injuries.
“She was rushed to the critical care unit of a nearby hospital where the doctors tried to treat her for around an hour. But she didn’t respond to treatment and succumbed to injuries in the hospital,” he added.
Meanwhile, people from across the state expressed their anguish and anger over the freak accident that snatched away the life and dreams of a young soul and her family.
To all arivujeevis who are discussing if subhasree was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident, wear a helmet, and let someone throw a heavy object on you while you are driving, go under a lorry and apdiye poidu. Because you will also die. #WhoKilledShubashree
— Shanjana Vakeeswaran (@shanjvakee) September 12, 2019
Dear Politicians, find a better way to show gratitude to your leaders not by killing us, it could be your daughter/son tomorrow.
— Anandan Shanmugam (@anandanrs) September 12, 2019
Requesting Honorable #MadrasHighCourt take serious actions and ensure the innocents safety on road. #WhoKilledSubhasree https://t.co/fBEOSvte01
Many people also slammed the AIADMK for political apathy, drawing comparisons to the 2017 incident where K Ragupathi, a software engineer had reportedly rammed into an illegal wooden arch erected for MGR Centenary celebrations, fallen down and died after a tipper truck ran over him.
#WhoKilledSubhasri All the political parties and fan clubs of actors are equally responsible for illegal banners and hoardings. The Madras High Court's order is clearly disrespected by the authorities indicating rule of law is only in paper
— Bharath (@RaghavBharath) September 12, 2019
#WhoKilledSubhasree HC judgement has become joke for politicians n especially for the ruling government.. If the govt doesn’t follow HC order why the heck people should follow and pay useless fine??? Rule is for everybody.. This is murder someone should be punished!
— Yogesh (@YogeshKD2228) September 12, 2019
I think this has to start with the people who put up huge hoardings for Gym membership, birthday party, weddings, etc.. politicians don't care. This problem is not new. Should see how the roads and footpaths are covered between Chennai Trade Centre and Porur. #WhoKilledSubhasree
— Vishvaroop Patra (@vishvaroop) September 12, 2019
When Raghu was killed, this was painted in the road in cbe and was erased. It didn't make any change. Now rather than trending #WhoKilledShubashree in twitter, what will happen if #WhoKilledShubashree trends in real world. Walls,roads, buildings, posters need not be plain anymore pic.twitter.com/CwW7CgMUNp
— vignesh viswanathan (@vignesh7986) September 12, 2019
On Thursday afternoon, Subhasri, a 23-year-old engineer was run over by a tanker lorry on the Thuraipakkam-Pallavaram radial road in Chennai. She fell on to the road after a hoarding erected for a wedding in former AIADMK councillor and Kancheepuram East MGR Mandram Assistant Secretary S Jayagopal’s family fell on her bike, causing her to lose her balance.
The St Thomas Mount police have registered an FIR against the lorry driver and those behind erecting the hoardings. The driver has been arrested.