Dr.Thomas (Special Correspondent)
A 17-year-old PU student was killed and ten others injured when the autorickshaw they were travelling collided head on with a goods vehicle in Gouribidanur on Thursday morning.
The victims are from Kurugodu village and heading to Gouribidanur to college in the morning when the accident occurred .
The students usually depending on private vehicles and autos to commute to schools and colleges due to non availability of bus service,a senior officer,said .
Because of this the autorickshaws and private vehicles make the most of it and drive rashly to complete as many trips as possible to make the most of it,the officer added.
The autorickshaw driver identified as Lokesh,19,who was also injured in the accident was driving rash and negligent manner while negotiating a curve crashed into the goods vehicle coming from the opposite directions near Nagappa block.
Due to the impact the autorickshaw was mangled and the passengers were thrown away in all the directions.
Passers-by rushed to the help and shifted the injured to the hospital where the victim identified as Vanaja succumbed to her injuries .
While the condition of other two students are critical the others are being treated at two different hospitals and said to be out of danger.
Senior police officials rushed to the spot and the driver of the truck fled the scene soon after the accident leaving behind the truck .
The police said that they will hold a meeting with the autorickshaw and private vehicle operators soon to create awareness about ferrying excessive passengers .
The city traffic police have launched a driver against autorickshaw and private vehicles ferrying school children in excess numbers .
As many as 994 vehicles have been booked and the drive would continue to check the menace,Joint Commissioner of police,Traffic,MN Anucheth,said .
