Ayyappa devotee loses life after being hit by a van

Kundapur: A Maruti Omni van claimed the life of a Ayyappa devotee in an accident that took place between the van and the pedestrian at Trasi beach in the taluk on Friday morning November 16^th. The deceased is identified as Ganesh Kotwal (48), residing near Mahakali Math at Gangolli. He is survived by wife and two daughters.

Mr Kotywal was a devotee of Lord Ayyappa and was in the process of undertaking pilgrimage to Sabarimala. He was following the austerities connected with the pilgrimage and was walking by the roadside on Friday at around 5.15 am when the tragedy struck. After being hit by the Omni van, Kotwal sustained grievous injuries to his head and legs, was rushed to a private hospital at Manipal immediately. However, he failed to respond to the given treatment and breathed his last at about 7:50 am.

Despite the accident, the driver did not stop the van and instead drove it towards Gangolli. However, the locals waited for it, intercepted it when it came back from Gangolli to the highway and informed the police.

Gangolli police have seized the vehicle which cause the accident along with its driver identified as Mazhar Ahmed and registered a case in this regard.