In a recent unfortunate incident, a young cinematographer was killed in a crash while filming a Mercedes Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender. Alwin TK, the 20-year-old cinematographer and promotional video producer was hit by the speeding G-Wagen, while filming in Calicut, on Tuesday.
A probe is already underway and the cops have already arrested Sabith Rahman- the person who was driving the G-Wagen at the time of the crash. Further, the Kerala Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) has suspended the driving licenses of both Sabith and Mohammed Rais, the person who was driving the Defender during the shoot.
Sabith’s license has been suspended for a span of one year, while the other person received a shorter, 6-month suspension. Additional charges have been filed against Sabith for not having valid insurance for the G-Class at the time of the crash. Both drivers were summoned by the MVD and cops for questioning. Reports, however, state the cops to have deemed their explanations unsatisfactory.
The Incident
Alwin was employed in the UAE and took up the shoot as a freelance project when he was home for vacation. Sabith is the owner of 999 Automotive – a vehicle detailing shop in Calicut. He was out for a promo video shoot along with Alwin and his Rais- one of his staff- filming the G Wagen and Defender. The team was shooting along the beach road, near Thondayadu bypass, within the jurisdiction of Vellayil police station.
At around 7:30 in the morning, they were filming in the middle of an open road. At some point in time, the speeding Mercedes Benz G-Class hit him, throwing him off several meters. It should have been a slight slip from the driver that resulted in the mishap. The cinematographer was injured severely and was soon rushed to a private hospital nearby. The youth succumbed to his injuries later that morning.
Looking at the legal side of things, the Mercedes SUV had a Telangana State number plate (TS 09 UA 9) but reportedly lacked a valid insurance and other necessary permits. The MV officials stated that the vehicle’s registration could be suspended after a detailed investigation.
Since the G-Wagen lacked permits and insurance, Sabith and his staff made attempts to get the car out of the picture and mislead the cops by providing details of the Defender, claiming it to have caused the accident.
The cops seized both vehicles and following detailed inspections and tests, confirmed the G-Wagen to be the vehicle involved. Further investigations are being carried out by a special MVD team. Following the final report from them, further actions would be taken against the people and vehicles involved.
Differing Opinions And Blame On Reels!
Alwin’s friend claimed that he got involved in the crash while shooting the promo video for Triple 9 Automotive. This was later confirmed by the cops and MVD as well. However, locals and witnesses had a strange claim to make soon after the crash. They said that the youth was filming Instagram reels on the road, and finally died doing the same.
They further claimed that the Defender- which is yet to get a registration plate- was the one which knocked him down- possibly due to brake fail, and his friends who were in another car nearby rushed him to the hospital. As we speak now, this feels hard to believe. It is common for people these days to blame things on Instagrammers and reel stars. In a previous instance, we saw locals deliver open threats saying they would break arms and legs of people who shoot reels at a specific location.
It is not that everyone filming Instagram reels does it safe and legal. We have seen people going stupid over reel creation and end up miserably. But then, it isn’t fair to pull off stereotypes and raise false blames.
