Armyman killed as tank ploughs into building

CHENNAI: A 27-year-old army man, in the rank of sowar, died, and two others, including a commander, were  injured when a combat battle tank they were in rammed a building during a test run on the campus of the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi Tank Factory police limits on Friday.Police said sowar Harish, a native of Avaramkuppam in Vaniyambadi, Vellore, along with sowar Senthil Kumar (28) of CVRDE quarters and commander Premchand were testing a battle tank when they lost control of the vehicle and rammed a building. Police said Harish suffered injuries and died on the spot after a wall collapsed and fell on him, while the two others sustained injuries.Police sources said they lost control of the vehicle as the brake lever got stuck and the tank hit the building that stored manufactured tanks. “They have a separate place on campus where they regularly test run the tanks,” a police officer said. Based on a complaint by Lt Col Sharma, Avadi Tank Factory police registered a case under IPC section 304A (causing death by negligence), police said, and added that Harish’s body was sent to Kilpauk Medical Hospital for autopsy, while Premchand was admitted to the military hospital at St Thomas Mount.