International car racer Ashwin Sundar was killed after his BMW met with a road accident in Chennai.
Highlights
- Accident happened on Saturday, after midnight
- Video of fire posted by witnesses, unable to them due to heat
- Ashwin was national champion in LGB F4 category in 2012 and 2013
Car racing champion Ashwin Sundar and his wife were killed in an accident on Saturday after their car crashed into a tree in Chennai after midnight. The accident happened at the Pattinapakkam area, on the Santhome High Road.
Ashwin, 27, was the national champion in LGB F4 category in 2012 and 2013. His wife Nivedha, 26, was a doctor at a private hospital.
A video of the blazing fire was posted on social media by eyewitnesses who said they were unable to rescue the couple due to the intense heat from the flames.
Authorities said fire-fighters received the distress call at 1:51 am and a team was rushed to the scene but it was too late to save the couple.
Ashwin Sundar was driving the car when the accident occurred.
"When we arrived, the fire was on and we did not know the couple was inside. We extinguished the fire in 16 minutes and found them both trapped. The lady's legs were seen trapped. The driver's side of the car was also mangled perhaps making it difficult for Ashwin to move," a fire department official said.
Racer Karun Chandhok was among those who mourned Ashwin Sundar's death on Twitter.An investigation has been launched. Police say they suspect speeding caused the accident.