Daijiworld Media Network - Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Feb 17: An electric pole standing by the side of Subrahmanya-Kadaba state highway suddenly got uprooted and fell across the road on Thursday February 16 afternoon. The pole came down on a motor bike that was passing by the spot at that time, and accounted for the life of its pillion rider, identified as Manohar (18), son of Vasudeva, resident of Kombaru Tamil Colony in Kombaru village. The accident occurred at Bajakkere in Aittoor village.

A frankincense tree located near the bridge at Bajakkere had suddenly fallen on the power lines. Unable to withstand the weight of the tree, the electric pole got snapped and fell on the passing motor bike. Manohar was directly positioned under the line of the falling pole, and hence died on the spot.

Prabhakar (23), son of the late Selvaraj, who was a neighbour of Manohar, and who was riding the motor bike, survived with minor injuries. He stands admitted into the government hospital at Kadaba where his condition is stable. Manohar was going to Sullia for attending to painting work when his death occurred.

The postmortem of the deceased was performed at the community health centre at Kadaba. Sullia assistant conservator of forests, Jagannath, visited the hospital at this period. The relatives of the deceased who were present a the hospital approached the officer and blamed his department for its negligence, which they said, had cost the youth his life. He counselled with the grieving relatives and assured to put in efforts to see that the department disburses some compensation to the family. Subrahmanya range forest officer, Manjunath, was present at the time.