While everyone escaped with injuries, one of them, Ratnamma suffered a critical wound on her left leg and now requires multiple surgeries.

It was 5 am when the vendors at the HAL market were preparing to start the day’s business. They were all sitting on the roadside, when a van approached at great speed on Ambedkar Road from the Old Airport Road.

Even as it swerved to the ditch on the left, it lost speed and knocked down the vendors.
The driver immediately abandoned the vehicle and fled the spot. Two other passengers were detained by some market vendors but were let off. Recalled a flower vendor, Ratna: “It would have been much much worse, had the van not fallen into the ditch and stopped.”  Ratnamma, a vegetable vendor suffered severe injuries of her left leg and was shifted to Hosmat hospital.

Other victims

The other vendors, Nagaraj, Surya, Annamalai, Neelamma, another person by the name Ratnamma, suffered injuries and were taken to Bowring and Lady Curzon hospitals.
The victims are all residents of Mallur, who travel everyday to the City to sell vegetables at the HAL market.

Dr Rajanna, Resident Medical Officer, Lady Curzon and Bowring Hospital, said, the victims are in a state of shock. They were administered first aid. “The patients are  under observation for the next 48 hours. Ratnamma at Bowring hospital is seriously injured with a fracture and may have to be  hospitalised for more than month,” Dr Rajanna added.

Meanwhile, Ratnamma admitted at Hosmat Hospital, was diagnosed with multiple fractures. Dr Thomas A Chandy - Chief of Orthopedics has recommended multiple surgeries to save her lower limb. The cost of the surgery procedure would be approximately Rs 2 to 2.5 lakh.

Since she cannot afford the cost, the hospital has sought contributions. Interested can call: 2559 3796 / 2559 3797 ext 252 or 98444 70489, for more details.