Bantwal: A gas tanker knocked down a head constable to death, while he was waiting for a bus at Melkar town on the National Highway on January 4.

Rukmaya, head constable at Puttur police station is the deceased.

Rukmaya, resident of Poorlipady near Kalladka had come to Melkar on official work. After the petrol tanker knocked him down at the bus stop, he was taken to a nearby hospital in Thumbe and later to a private hospital in Mangaluru. Efforts to save his life failed as he succumbed to grievous injuries.

It is gathered that poor planning in Melkar town led to the accident as parking places for buses and other vehicles are not allocated properly despite the available parking slots. Vehicle drivers sensing absence of traffic on the road travel faster in town limits at several places causing accidents.

Rukmaya had served in Bantwal, Vittla police stations and was quite popular among the public. Rukmaya is survived by wife and two sons.

Bantwal police have registered a case.