Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, May 9: A truck that was illegally transporting sand and a Maruti Alto car got involved with head-on collision at Soorikumeru on Mangaluru-Bengaluru national highway on Friday May 8. An old lady died in this accident. Three suffered serious injuries.

Four persons from Shevire in Kodippady village of Puttur taluk, Saraswati (84), Ramachandra (28), Kanchana (40), and Srinivas (58), were moving in a Maruti Alto car to Mangaluru. Ramachandra was said to be behind the wheels at the time of the accident.

Locals said rash and negligent driving on the part of the sand truck had caused the accident. The accident occurred at a steep road bend. The reckless speed of the truck could be gauged by the fact that the car was dragged for a distance of 50 metres before dumping it into the drain after the accident.

The car got transformed into a heap of mangled steel, while the truck hit the roadside protective wall, and its front wheels came off. The truck driver disappeared from the scene immediately after the accident.

Local people and passersby gathered at the spot and helped the victims. All the injured people were admitted into a private hospital through a 108 ambulance and a private ambulance. Saraswati died on the spot, while others suffered grievous injuries. Ramachandra continues to be in unconscious state, it is learnt.

Bantwal police circle inspector, Belliappa, and Vittal sub-inspector, Prakash Devadiga, visited the spot, conducted inspection, and registered case. Later, the vehicles were moved out with the help of JCB.

The groups of people which had gathered there were seen discussing the spate of accidents and traffic snarls illegal sand trucks have been causing in Charmadi ghat area and other roads. They generally felt that blessings from political bigwigs was
responsible for this sorry state of affairs.