Bengaluru: A 14-year-old boy died on the spot, one was injured and 10 others had a miraculous escape when a speeding van ran over them while they were sleeping on the footpath in the early hours of Monday in Nelamangala traffic police limits.
The deceased, Jothu Chauhan, hailed from Maharashtra. The injured, Mala (45), was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital where her condition is said to be critical.
Jothu, Mala and their family came to the city a few months ago and were selling toys and kitchen utensils on the roadside. On Sunday night, the family was planning to return to their hometown, but missed the bus. They decided to board the next bus on Monday morning and slept on the footpath near Nelamangala-Tumakuru tollgate. Around 3 am, the speeding van, heading towards Tumakuru, ran over the footpath crushing Jothu and Mala. Jothu sustained severe injuries and died on the spot. The family members immediately alerted the police and shifted Mala to the hospital.
The police said that the driver did not stop the van and fled from the spot. The Nelamangala traffic police have registered a case and are investigating.
