Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jul 20: A lorry carrying a load of construction materials for the renovation and reconstruction of Mrityunjaya temple at Rudragiri in Uppinangady lost its balance and toppled on the evening of Wednesday July 19. In this incident, one person lost his life, while two others were injured.

Jayaram Shetty (40) from Yekkala in Tannirpantha village, who was badly injured in this accident, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital later, without responding to treatment. Naveenchandra (35) from Antara in Tannirpantha, and Sridhar (38) from Battanda, who also were injured, stand admitted into a private hospital here. All the three were sitting on materials loaded in the rear side.

The truck was carrying materials donated by devotees from near Sullia for temple renovation work. As soon as the lorry entered the entry point of the temple at Rudragiri and proceeded a few metres ahead, the driver lost control of the vehicle, and the truck plunged into the steep slope by the side of the road. The road leading to the temple is narrow and is made by heaping mud to a height of five to six feet. The road is so narrow that only a truck can move on it at a time. The mud slipped from under the wheels of the truck, resulting in this accident.

The lorry driver, and three others who were seated by his side, escaped with minor injuries. Locals feel that the driver of the lorry should not have taken the risk of driving on narrow and soft road during rainy season.