PONDA: In a tragic incident, a motorcycle pilot named Prakash Chodankar (58), resident of Kavalem, operating from KTC Bus stand, was crushed to death as a result of rash and negligent driving by a crane driver on Tuesday morning.
The deceased, a resident of Kavalem-Ponda and native of Kauthani-Sawantwadi, Maharashtra, was sitting on his stationary motorcycle and reading a newspaper when a speeding crane ran over Chodankar after its driver lost control. He was dragged along with bike and dragged for almost seven meters. His head was crushed and was found in a pool of blood.
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The horrific incident shocked hundreds of passengers at the KTC Bus Stand. Following the incident, Ponda police personnel rushed to the site. Shocked locals alleged negligence by the contractor involved in widening on the national highway (NH) work, which was responsible for the pilot’s death.
Local social workers Viraj Sapre and John Mascarenhas said the NH widening work being undertaken on the highway stretch near KTC Bus stand in a very casual manner, with no proper sign boards regarding the road widening work, nor proper supervision by the contractor.
The accused crane driver Ranjeet Kumar (20), a resident of Bihar, has been arrested by the police and a case has been registered under Section 279, 304-A of IPC.
According to Ponda PI Tushar Lotlikar, the crane driver drove the crane in a rash and negligent manner, while proceeding from Farmagudi-Ponda towards KTC Bus stand Ponda, without taking proper care and caution, endangering human life.
He dashed against the stationary taxi motorcycle pilot and further dragged him up to 7.5 mts along with his motorcycle and also hit a mini bus in the process. The victim sustained grievous injuries, and succumbed to his injuries.
