Hyderabad: In a freak accident, an autorickshaw suddenly reared up on its rear wheels and mowed down a pedestrian at Shamsheergunj on Sunday.
CCTV footage taken from the area showed a person trying to cross the road, and the front part of the oncoming autorickshaw rising up and landing on the man A. Jangaiah, 45. He died on the spot.
Police officials, who analysed the accident, said the front tyre of the autorickshaw got detached and went under the vehicle, leading to a 'wheelie'.
“The front tyre got detached and directly rolled underneath the vehicle's platform. The speed of the vehicle and the attempt of driver to apply brakes lifted the front part of the autorickshaw. This is what we know so far. We are taking the help of vehicle inspectors and other experts to understand what actually happened at the spot,” said Falaknuma sub inspector K. Prathap Reddy.
Police also found that there were six passengers inside the vehicle while the permitted upper limit is four.
“There were six people, three in the passenger seat and three in the driver's seat,” said an eyewitness.
Jangaiah, a resident of Venkatapuram, was trying to cross the road to go to his work place at around 10.30 am.
“The autorickshaw was going from Falaknuma towards Shalibanda. Around 15 meters away from Jangaiah, the front side of the autorickshaw rose suddenly. The autorickshaw moved further ahead and fell on the victim. Jangaiah was hit on the head and suffered serious injuries. Though onlookers tried to rush him to hospital he died on the spot,” said the sub inspector.
Police arrested autorickshaw driver Md. Mehtabuddin, who said that he did not understand what actually happened.
“It looks like the wheelie was not intentional. He says he applied sudden brakes but lost control,” said the SI.
Police booked a case and started investigation.
The victim, Jangaiah, was a labourer at a ration shop.
