Charcoal-laden lorry runs over five in Doddaballapur

Victims were returning home after attending wedding

Five pedestrians were mowed down by a charcoal-laden lorry on National Highway 207 near Chikka Belavangala in Doddaballapur taluk on Wednesday night.

The police identified the deceased as Bhavana (10), a class 4 student; Supritha (19), a garment factory worker; Shashikala (32), Savitha (36) and Shanthamma (40), all residents of the village. Two people sustained injuries and were shifted to Nelamangala government hospital. They are said to be out of danger.

On Wednesday, at around 10.30 pm, the victims were returning home after attending a wedding at Chikka Belavangala. A speeding lorry, coming from the opposite direction, veered off the road after its axle broke and ran over the seven pedestrians walking on the edge the road. Five died on the spot and three people, including the driver, suffered injuries.

The lorry, which came to a halt after crashing into two trees, was completely damaged. Police blamed reckless driving for the accident. The bodies were shifted for post-mortem.

Villagers protest
The accident triggered a flash protest by angry residents of Chikka Belavangala who demanded that the authorities take steps to widen the road and implement strict policing to curb reckless driving. They also sought a pavement for the pedestrians. Traffic on the stretch was blocked for more than an hour. The protesters relented after the police officials assured them that their demands would be met.

“The police arrested the lorry driver Satish, a native of Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu. The road was steep and he was driving at top speed.The axle of the vehicle broke, which resulted in him losing control over the vehicle. The vehicle was sent to the Transport department for examination. Also, he was subjected to medical examination to ascertain if he was driving under the influence of alcohol,” said a senior police officer.