Car Racer Ashwin Sundar, Wife Die As BMW Hits Tree, Goes Up In Flames In Chennai Road Accident

Chennai: 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.
 "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.

Very sad to hear this morning that the young Indian National racing champion Ashwin Sundar and his wife were killed in a road accident. #RIP

- Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) March 18, 2017

#RIP #AshwinSundar cant believe this ! Shocking n saddening ! Too young to be gone !! Drive safe friends !!!!

- Aadhav (@aadhavkk) March 18, 2017

An investigation has been launched. Police say they suspect speeding caused the accident.