Cooperation secy Radhakrishnan car hit by tourist bus; no injuries

CHENNAI: Senior IAS officer and Additional chief secretary, Co-operation, Food and Consumer Protection Department, J Radhakrishnan had a close shave in a road accident after a tourist van rammed into his official vehicle near Foreshore Estate on Monday morning.

The occupants in the car- Radhakrishnan and his driver escaped unhurt, but a portion of the car got mangled in the hit, police said.

Police said that J Radhakrishnan was on his way to pay respects to the victims of 2004 Tsunami when the accident happened.

Fishermen and residents around Marina beach who were among the most affected in Chennai during the 2004 Tsunami had arranged for commemoration program and the senior official was invited to be part of the program. Radhakrishnan won accolades for his post Tsunami relief works in Nagapattinam as the district collector.

Nagapattinam was one of the worst-affected districts when Tsunami struck TN on December 26, 2004.

The car was moving along the service road when the tourist van bound for Melmaruvathur with pilgrims from Tondiarpet rammed into the car.

Upon information, the Anna Square TIW (traffic investigation wing) police registered a case and an investigation was started.

Due to the accident, the traffic was disrupted in the area for a couple of hours, police said.