7 killed, 25 injured as lorry topples in BR Hills

Seven persons were killed on the spot and 25 others sustained injuries when the lorry they were travelling in toppled near Chain Gate in Biligiriranga Hills here on Saturday.

The deceased have been identified as Mahadevaprasad (21), Puttathayamma (28) and Shivu (10) of Kavudavadi village and Kanyakumari (32), Mahadev (35) and Mahesh (35) of Ganiganuru. The identity of another person is yet to be ascertained. They were rushed to the taluk Government Hospital in the town. The victims were returning after a visit to the temple atop the hill when the accident occurred.

Residents stage protest

Residents of the town and neighbouring villages staged a protest on National Highway 209 and said that the victims succumbed to injuries because they did not receive timely treatment due to staff crunch at the government hospital.