Ullal: A 62-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured after an auto rickshaw travelling at high speed hit him and overturned near the Thokkottu rickshaw stand on Tuesday morning. The incident was captured on CCTV.
The injured man has been identified as Chandrashekhar, a resident of Kapikad and owner of Pancham Caterers. He sustained serious injuries in the accident and is currently undergoing treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Deralakatte.
Accident occurred while crossing the road
According to the available information, Chandrashekhar had gone to the Nandini Parlour at Thokkottu to purchase milk. While he was crossing the road after making the purchase, an auto rickshaw travelling from Thokkottu towards Kuthar allegedly hit him.
The impact caused Chandrashekhar to fall onto the road. The auto rickshaw also lost control and overturned following the collision.
Chandrashekhar suffered a severe injury to his forehead due to the impact. He was subsequently shifted to a private hospital in Deralakatte, where he is currently receiving treatment in the ICU.
Auto driver sustains minor injuries
The auto rickshaw driver, identified as Prashanth, also sustained minor injuries after the vehicle overturned.
The circumstances surrounding the accident are being examined, including the speed of the auto rickshaw and the events immediately before the collision.
Accident captured on CCTV
The accident was captured by a CCTV camera installed near the Thokkottu rickshaw stand.
The footage reportedly shows the auto rickshaw hitting the pedestrian while he was crossing the road, following which the vehicle overturned.
The CCTV footage is expected to assist the police in understanding the sequence of events and determining how the accident occurred.
Mangaluru South Traffic Police inspect spot
Personnel from the Mangaluru South Traffic Police Station reached the accident spot soon after receiving information about the incident.
The police inspected the location and are examining the circumstances of the accident. CCTV footage and other information available from the area are also expected to form part of the investigation.
The police are likely to examine factors including the speed of the vehicle, road conditions and the movement of the pedestrian and other vehicles at the time of the accident.
Road safety concerns in Thokkottu
The accident has once again highlighted concerns about pedestrian safety in Thokkottu, where vehicles and pedestrians frequently share busy stretches of road.
The Thokkottu-Kuthar route witnesses considerable traffic throughout the day. Areas near commercial establishments, milk parlours, rickshaw stands and other busy locations can see a high concentration of pedestrians.
Maintaining controlled speeds in such areas is therefore important to reduce the risk of accidents.
Pedestrians also need to exercise caution while crossing busy roads and ensure that approaching vehicles have slowed down before crossing.
Caterer undergoing ICU treatment
Chandrashekhar, who owns Pancham Caterers, sustained serious injuries in the accident.
The impact reportedly caused a major injury to his forehead. He was taken to a private hospital in Deralakatte, where doctors are treating him in the ICU.
The accident has caused concern among his family members, friends and acquaintances.
The auto driver, Prashanth, suffered minor injuries in the incident.
Police continue investigation
The Mangaluru South Traffic Police are continuing their investigation into the accident.
The CCTV footage could provide important information regarding the movement of the auto rickshaw and the pedestrian immediately before the collision. The police may also record statements from witnesses and examine other available evidence.
While preliminary information indicates that the auto rickshaw was travelling at high speed, the exact circumstances and cause of the accident will have to be established through the investigation.
Need for greater caution near busy areas
The incident highlights the importance of road safety measures in busy parts of Thokkottu and surrounding areas.
Drivers need to maintain safe speeds, particularly near commercial establishments and locations where pedestrians are likely to cross roads. At the same time, pedestrians should use designated crossings wherever available and remain alert to approaching vehicles.
Improved pedestrian infrastructure and effective traffic management could also help reduce the risk of similar incidents in busy areas.
Conclusion:
A 62-year-old caterer was seriously injured after an auto rickshaw allegedly travelling at high speed hit him while he was crossing the road near the Thokkottu rickshaw stand. The auto overturned after the collision, injuring the driver as well. The accident was captured on CCTV, and the Mangaluru South Traffic Police are investigating the incident.