7 die in road mishap in Davangere dt.

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, DEC. 1. Seven persons, including three children, were killed on the spot and 65 people were injured when the lorry in which they were travelling overturned in Harapanahalli taluk of Davangere District in the early hours of Friday.

A 30-year-old woman and her two children were among those killed. The Davangere Superintendent of Police, Mr. Narayana R. Nadumani, told The Hindu that the dead and the injured were all residents of Chinnahalli in Harapanahalli taluk. More than 70 people, all belonging to the Lambani community, were being taken in the lorry, which was laden with jowar and rice bags, from Chinnahalli to Chikmagalur to work as labourers in coffee plantations. The accident occurred around 2.30 a.m. at Harakanal village, 15 km from Harapanahalli. People who were sitting on the bags were trapped under them and were killed instantaneously, Mr. Nadumani said.

The mishap took place after the left-wheel of the lorry landed on a three-feet deep ditch on the road. The names of the dead were given as Lakshmi Bai (30) and her two children, Ravi (4) and Netra (3); Debi Bai (13), Javani Bai (39), Saroja Bai (30) and Devala Naik (26).

Of the injured, seven have been admitted to the Chigateri Hospital in Davangere and the condition of three of them is said to be serious. The other injured were treated as out-patients at the Government Hospital in Harapanahalli.

The SP, who visited the spot, said that the lorry driver abandoned the vehicle.

The Davangere police said that the mishap could have been avoided had the Public Works Department (PWD) taken up regular repair of the roads. Many accidents have taken place on this road of late.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Govt. to start bio-informatics institute
Next     : District Judge to probe violence in Mandya Dt.