CHENNAI: A two and-a-half year-old girl was injured after she was hit by a battery-operated vehicle at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Vandalur on Sunday.
Tension prevailed on Sunday morning, when the girl who was trying to cross the road on the zoo premises was knocked down by the vehicle resulting in head injuries. The girl K Sumaida, had come to the zoo along with her father Khaja Moideen, mother Suraja, her four-year-old sister and her two-month old brother on Sunday.
“The family chose to walk around the zoo and were nearing the bison enclosure. The father and mother along with the children were on different sides of the road. When the child tried to cross the road she was hit by a vehicle driven by one Kavitha,” said a police personnel.
Passersby immediately alerted the zoo officials. A team of staff members rushed the child to a private hospital at Tambaram along with the family members. Later, she was referred to the Egmore children’s hospital, where she is presently undergoing treatment.
Police said, Khaja, a resident of Triplicane and a native of Tiruvnelveli was doing a small business in the city.Otteri police personnel visited the spot. Investigation was on.
A senior official at the zoo said the child was trying to cross the road, when she was knocked down by the battery run car. “The family members of the child were on both sides of the road, when she tried to cross,” the official said. The official also said there are nearly 10 battery operated cars in the zoo and this particular car was driven by a woman who had more than five years experience.
The accident occurred near the place where a bison were kept.The car was right in the centre of the broad road, and these vehicles were driven at walking speed. “Parents should ensure they hold the hands of their children while walking in the zoo campus. This is the first such incident being reported,” the official added.