Mangalore, Mar 23: An incident wherein two bike riders sustained serious injuries when their bike collided against a trailer from behind took place near the Landmark Building at KPT here on Saturday March 23 morning, when the RTO personnel were busy checking vehicles on the Highway without erecting any barricade.
The mishap took place, when a trailer laden with iron-beams applied sudden brake as the RTO intercepted the vehicle. The bike riders behind were taken unawares and their bike (KA19-RX-7611) collided against the trailer. The critically injured riders have been admitted to AJ Hospital.
Inhumane RTO staff:
What was most glaring is the totally inhuman attitude of the RTO personnel who instead of taking the injured bike riders to the hospital in their vehicle, left their vehicle and fled the scene. The agitated public who have gathered at the spot have adopted an adamant stand that the RTO vehicle should not be shifted until the authorities arrived at the spot.
The cops from Mangalore East station (Kadri) that is located in the vicinity have rushed to the spot of the accident.
Flash protest:
The general public staged a flash strike on the spot alleging the negligence of RTO personnel who are used to abruptly stop the vehicles. It is the practice, to lay signboards and erect barricade, to caution the motorists that RTO personnel are engaged in checking the papers of automobiles in a spot on busy highway. However, it has not been followed by RTO personnel who are known to park their patrol automobiles in a curve and signal the driver to stop the vehicle, while the unaware motorists likely to hit the vehicle in front. It also gives rise to multiple accidents.
ACP Subramanya arrived at the spot and the talks are under way with the protesters.
Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Mallikarjun arrived at the spot and assured the protesters that appropriate actions will be taken on Regional Transport Authority (RTA) officials Vishwanat and Ravindra who were responsible for the major road mishap.
Meanwhile, the trailer driver complained to RTO Mallikarjun that RTA officials blocked the vehicle, took registration papers and road permit of vehicle, besides collected a bribe of Rs 2,000, complained the trailer driver.
Late reports informed that a biker died at the hospital, while the other is in critical condition. The deceased has been identified as Durgaprasad, a resident of Yedapadav. The pillion rider Harsha, a native of Mannagudda here lies in critical condition. Both were working as AC mechanics.