JOIN USA student of 10th standard at Government School, Chikkabidarikallu, Asha was knocked down by the truck when she was crossing the service road, adjoining the highway.
The police said the girl had alighted from a BMTC bus to cross the highway, just minutes before she met with the tragedy at 7.30 am. The accident occurred near the Jindal Naturopathy Hospital.
Four of Asha’s classmates, who accompanied her, had crossed the road before she could. Asha died of head injuries.
Soon after the accident, the driver abandoned the truck and fled. The police seized the vehicle, and a hunt was on for the absconding driver. An angry mob, including students and local residents, gathered on the road and blocked the highway (NH 7), demanding the construction of a pedestrian subway to prevent such accidents.
Meanwhile, traffic was obstructed till noon on the highway at Goraguntepalya, Nelamangala and Himalaya Drug Company Junction. The police had a tough time controlling the mob. KSRTC buses to Mangalore and other places were held up for over two hours due to the massive roadblocks set up by the angry protesters, said Siddappa, traffic controller, Kempegowda bus station.
Nelamangala police inspector Yatiraj said the Tata 407 truck that knocked down the student was carrying Aquafina drinking water from a Pepsi bottling plant.
“Asha was the second of her parents’ four daughters. Her father Govindraju is a labourer. They are originally from Tamil Nadu and are permanent residents of Chikkabidarikallu. We are on the lookout for the driver. He will be arrested soon,” Yatiraj said. The girl’s body was handed over to her relatives after post-mortem.