Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Oct 16: A hotellier from Mumbai and native of Aikala near Kinnigoly, died in a tragic accident at Kinnigoly on the evening Tuesday October 14. The deceased has been identified as Umesh Poojary(43), owner of Laxmi Lunch Home, Vile Parle, Mumbai residing in Patti Cross in Aikala. A woman named Susheela(58) who was standing by his side too got seriously injured in th accident. It is said, that the cleaner of the bus drove the vehicle at the time of the accident without the knowledge of the driver who was away, and that the cleaner fled from the scene immediately after the accident.

The two were waiting for their bus at Kinnigoly bus stand, when a bus, moving out of the bus stand, suddenly swerved to extreme left and hit them. Poojary sustained injuries to his head and other vital parts and died on the spot. Susheela was shifted to hospital with serious injuries to her shoulder.

Umesh Poojary had come home a week back because of failing health and was to return to Mumbai today. He had gone to Manipal alongwith relative Susheela for health check up in the afternoon. Poojary's wife, daughter and son are in Mumbai.

Mulki police have registered a case. The body has been kept at the mortuary of Mulki commuity health centre.

The people of Kinnigoly have been demanding for a spacious, orderly bus stand since long. Because of the narrow bus stand here, and with the increase in the number of vehicles flocking to this temple-town, number of fatal accidents have increased of late.