Belthangady: Woman dies after autorickshaw plunges into river

Belthangady: A woman died after a rickshaw fell into the river near Mundaje Kapu Chadavu after the driver lost control of the vehicle on Friday night.

The deceased has been identified as Sefiya (57), daughter of Dr. Alikunhi, a resident of Chibidre Kattarigudde near Kakkinje.

Other occupants of the rickshaw — Mariamma (23), a resident of Kukkavu of Kadirudyavara village, Muhammad Ashraf (35) of Bhadravati, and the driver Abubakar Siddique (21) — were injured in the mishap.

They were returning after attending the Uroos event at Kajur when the tragedy struck.

The rickshaw veered off road and fell into the Mrityunjaya river as there was no fencing.  The occupants, except Sefiya,  were thrown out of the rickshaw before it plunged into the river. Sefiya however, was dragged with the rickshaw and drowned.

A case has been registered at Belthangady traffic station alleging careless driving to be the cause of the accident.

On learning about the accident, MLA Harish Poonja contacted and offered condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. Former MLA K. Vasantha Bangera and KPCC secretary Rakshit Shivaram visited the hospital.

Locals said that three such incidents have taken place in the last month at the same spot where the accident took place.

On the instructions of MLA Harish Poonja, steps have been taken to create an earthen mound at the site of the accident on Saturday.