Coimbatore: “His new bike is parked outside our house. But he is no more,” sobs N.Kanakamani. “If my son had worn a helmet, I would not have lost my son,” she sighs.

On a dark night last July, Kanakamani's 22-year-old son, N Aravindatsan alias Ashok's brain popped out of his head as he rammed the motorbike into an electric pole. But seconds before the mishap he saved his friend who was on the pillion of the bike.

“Just seconds before he collided with the electric pole on the left side of the road, he pushed me to the ground. And all that I knew was that I hit against the shutter of a shop and swooned” recalls D. Arun Prakash. It was around 10.30 pm. on July 6 last year.

“Aravind was riding my bike and I was on the pillion, when a group of boys from the dental college came speeding down and banged the rear of our vehicle. Aravind lost control and banged against the electric pole. He suffered serious head injuries. His brain popped out and he died on the spot. The passersby called for an ambulance and I was rushed to Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital where I was treated for my injuries in the head and limbs at the intensive care unit. Had I been on the wheel, I would have suffered the same fate. I have now lost my best friend only because he had not worn a helmet on that day”, he said.