Oil giant in spin over fatal car crash

Photo from GALLO/GETTY

A traffic accident that led to the deaths of two women, and which involved one of the vice-presidents of Russia's largest oil firm, has set the Russian blogosphere aflame.

Lukoil, Russia’s biggest oil company faces mounting public outrage after one of its vice-presidents was involved in a car crash that led to the deaths of two women.

Police were quick to pin the accident on gynaecologist Vera Sidelnikova and her daughter-in-law Olga Alexandrina who authorities said pulled out into the path of Anatoly Barkov's Mercedes.

Barkov and his driver escaped the crash without serious injury.

Bloggers however are dissatisfied with the official version of events, prompting allegations of a police cover up. Eyewitnesses report seeing Barkov's Mercedes swerve into the opposite lane trying to jump the morning traffic.

The accident has been heavily discussed on Moscow radio stations with debates focusing on whether Russia’s notoriously corrupt police are trying to protect a top official.

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