Chennai:
In a freak accident, a soldier perched over a T-90 battle tank was killed when its driver lost control and dashed against a concrete structure in Chennai today.
A concrete slab fell on the tank following the mishap, killing the soldier and injuring another at the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE).
"It is an unfortunate accident. The tank was taken out for testing. The driver was inside the tank and two others were sitting outside," a senior official told IANS.
"The driver lost control and dashed against a concrete column. A concrete slab fell on the tank killing one person and injuring the other," he said.
The dead man was identified as Harish.
Another source told IANS: "The tanks are parked inside a garage. The vehicle was taken out for a test run when the accident happened.
"It seems one of the steering sticks of the tank got stuck and the driver lost control of the vehicle."
The injured soldier has been admitted in a military hospital.
T-90 is a Russian battle tank. India also manufacturers modified T-90 tanks at the Heavy Vehicles Factory here. These are called Bhishma.