Woman labourer dies as truck falls in ditch

In a road mishap, a woman died and several others including children, suffered injuries after the Canter in which they were travelling, fell into a trench near Muluvalli village in N R Pura Taluk on Friday. Incidentally, the day happened to be the Workers’ Day.

The deceased has been identified as Baby Bai (30), wife of Samya Naika from Bemmalli Tandya in Harapanahalli taluk, Davangere district.

The incident occurred when the Canter carrying labourers from Shivapura Tandya in Harapanahalli taluk, was headed towards Kolar Khan estate near Balehonnur. More than 30 labourers were on board, along with sacs containing food grains. 

They started on Thursday night and on Friday morning at around 5.45 am, the driver lost control over the vehicle and the canter fell into a ditch on the roadside. The mishap turned to be severe for the workers as the sacs containing food grains, fell on them. As one such bag fell on Baby Bai, she was suffocated to death. 

Some labourers who made their way out of the Canter, alerted the fire service personnel, who cleared the bags and rescued other workers. 

Shanthi, Renuka, Sunil and others who were seriously injured, have been admitted to Meggan Hospital in Shivamogga. Jyothi, Pavitra, Seetha Bai, Bhima Naika, Savitha Bai, Meenakshi, Lalitha, Ravi, children Kaveri and Aishu suffered minor injuries. They have been admitted to a hospital in the town.  

It is said that Baby Bai, the deceased, had come for the first time to work in the estate. Most of the workers have been working in the same estate for several years and had returned to their homes on March 23. 

The driver of the Canter has taken to the heels, after the incident. Police Inspector Sadanand, Sub Inspector Manjeshwar carried out an inspection at the accident spot.