Bengaluru: A 33-year-old software engineer lost his life late on Wednesday after the ambulance carrying him allegedly got stuck under a magic box in Judicial Layout near Yelahanka, delaying his transport to the hospital. The victim, identified as Anand G. R., was a resident of Varthur and employed at a tech company in Manyata Tech Park.
Bike skids; victim suffers severe head injuries
The incident took place around 10.20 p.m. when Anand and his friend Jeevan were travelling on a motorbike near Judicial Layout. According to police, Anand reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid and collide with a ring main unit (RMU) box installed by Bescom along the roadside.
Both riders sustained injuries, but Anand suffered severe head trauma and fell unconscious at the spot. Jeevan, who sustained comparatively minor injuries, immediately alerted passers-by and sought help to shift Anand to a hospital.
Ambulance trapped under magic box
Anand was soon placed in an ambulance to be taken to Yelahanka Government Hospital. However, the situation took a critical turn when the ambulance attempted to pass through a magic box near Judicial Layout. Police said the upper portion of the emergency vehicle became stuck under the structure, rendering the ambulance immobile.
For nearly 10 minutes, the ambulance driver and bystanders attempted to manoeuvre the vehicle free but failed. Realising that Anand’s condition was deteriorating, Jeevan flagged down a passing car and transported him directly to the hospital. Tragically, Anand was declared dead on arrival.
Police noted that the delay caused by the ambulance getting stuck may have played a role in the young engineer’s inability to receive timely medical attention.
Infrastructure concerns raised
The incident has renewed public debate regarding the design and clearance levels of Bengaluru’s magic boxes—pre-fabricated underpasses introduced to ease traffic congestion. Residents in the Yelahanka area have previously complained about low vertical clearance and poor signage near the structure where the ambulance got stuck.
This latest incident has sparked concerns about whether such infrastructure poses a risk to emergency vehicles, especially during rescue operations when every second matters. Officials stated that the matter will be examined, especially in light of the fatal consequence witnessed in the present case.
KSRTC bus accident injures 23 passengers
In a separate incident on Thursday morning, 23 passengers travelling on a KSRTC bus from Hoskote to Kolar sustained injuries after the bus rear-ended a light commercial vehicle. Police said the collision occurred due to alleged rash and negligent driving by the KSRTC driver, identified as Gangadhar.
Six passengers suffered fractures in their legs and were admitted for treatment, while the remaining injured were treated as outpatients. Police have registered a case and are conducting further investigation into the accident.
Conclusion
The tragic death of software engineer Anand G. R. has drawn attention to Bengaluru’s infrastructure challenges, particularly those affecting emergency response systems. While police inquiries are ongoing, the incident underscores the urgent need for safety reviews of magic boxes and similar structures that may obstruct emergency movement. Meanwhile, the KSRTC accident highlights the continuing concerns surrounding road safety across Bengaluru and its outskirts, prompting authorities to revisit enforcement and monitoring mechanisms.