• Source:JND
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Bengaluru News: A metro rail viaduct being transported on a truck collapsed onto an autorickshaw, resulting in the death of the driver and serious injuries to his passenger in the early hours of Wednesday. The incident took place at Kogilu Cross along the Bengaluru-Ballari Road.

The deceased, identified as Khasim, 35, was from Hegde Nagar. Eyewitnesses reported that Khasim was in the process of receiving payment from his passenger when the viaduct fell. The truck driver responsible for the accident fled the scene immediately afterward.

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According to witnesses, the 18-wheeler truck was making a turn when the viaduct slipped off and landed directly onto the autorickshaw, killing Khasim instantly. The passenger, who had just exited the vehicle to pay his fare online, avoided serious injury, due to his timely departure.

The police stated that the accident occurred around 12:10 AM. Preliminary investigations revealed that the trailer was transporting the viaduct from Bagalur Cross to a metro construction site. The truck, with registration number KA-01-AM-1910, was reportedly being driven negligently, which led to the girder collapsing due to improper securing.

The Times Of India report cited Eyewitness Mohammed Adil as explaining that Khasim was killed when the girder fell after the chain securing it to the trailer snapped. Following the accident, Yelahanka traffic police arrived at the scene and worked to retrieve Khasim's body from the wreckage by around 2 AM. They used WhatsApp to share Khasim's details with authorities in an effort to trace his family.

Local residents expressed their anger at the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) for the lack of safety during the transportation of the viaduct. Approximately 50 people gathered at the accident site, voicing their frustrations over the incident and the delayed response from metro officials. Some locals claimed that the passenger had urged Khasim to leave the vehicle as the girder was about to fall, but he hesitated and tragically lost his life.

A crane was brought in to remove the fallen girder and the Yelahanka traffic police are currently investigating the incident.

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BL Yeshwanth Chavan, Chief PRO of BMRCL, confirmed the accident, stating that the girder was being transported from the Vadiyarpura casting yard. He explained that the truck driver had to brake suddenly to avoid another vehicle, causing the girder to fall onto the autorickshaw, resulting in Khasim's death.

Chavan extended condolences to Khasim's family and assured the public that the BMRCL would compensate the family in accordance with protocol. He emphasised that safety is a top priority for the organisation, both in operations and construction. "We will take all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future," he stated.

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