In a heartrending incident, five persons were killed and two children severely injured after a speeding milk van they were travelling in crashed into a tree, near Naganahalli on Wednesday.
The deceased have been identified as Devamma (60) of Egachahalli, Chaluvegowda of Ananduru, van cleaner Manchegowda (30), driver Nagaraju (35) of Yelwal and Venkatesh (50) of Naganahalli. Devamma, Chaluvegowda and Manchegowda were killed on the spot, while Venkatesh and Nagaraju breathed their last while being rushed to hospital. Ranjitha (4) and Sushmitha (11), both of Egachahalli, who sustained severe leg injuries are being treated at KR Hospital here. According to the witness, overspeed of the van has led to the tragic accident. The accident occurred when the van was on its way to Naganahalli from Kallahalli at 8.15 am. The driver, while negotiating a narrow bridge near the village, hit a tamarind tree. The bridge is so narrow that only one vehicle can pass it at a time.
The driver got panicky when he heard the horn of a lorry coming from the opposite direction and suddenly applied brakes. The van turned and hit the tree, those who witnessed the accident said.
Protest
Following the accident, the villagers held a protest at the spot. They charged that their appeals to the elected representatives to widen the bridge have fallen on deaf ears. SP Ramasubba and Tahasildar Kantharaju convinced them.