CHENNAI: A gas cylinder for filling air-conditioner compressors exploded while it was being transported on a two wheeler on the Royapettah High road flyover on Thursday morning seriously injuring the pillion rider who was carrying the cylinder. The rider of the bike suffered minor injury. The cylinder hit the window of the office of the general manager of Punjab National Mechanic situated near the flyover, splintering the glass window of the GM’s office and injuring the GM as well.
Rajkumar Chatterjee (52), the general manager, senior mechanic S.Khaleel of Perambur, who was riding the bike escaped with minor injuries.
Khaleel’s assistant, M.Karthik of Shenoy Nagar who was riding pillion and holding the cylinder suffered grievous injuries on his thigh, police said.
According to a police officer, “They were carrying a 5 kg cylinder and it had about 4 kg of gas in it when exploded,” a police officer said. The incident happened around 11.30 a.m. Khaleel and Karthik were headed towards Mylapore carrying the cylinder after finishing work at an apartment on Peter’s road. The cylinder took off and hit the office room of GM, located on the fifth floor of the building.