Ullal: Tanker-scooter accident claims woman’s life; Protests erupt over poor road conditions

Team Udayavani, Nov 9, 2024, 8:32 PM IST

Ullal: A 47-year-old woman lost her life on Saturday when a scooter collided with a mixer tanker on the Thokottu-Mangalore University road near Chembugudde Kerebail. The incident has sparked outrage, with a group of residents staging a protest over the poor state of the road.

The deceased, identified as Rehmat, a native of Kulai, Surathkal, and the wife of a private hospital employee from Deralakatte. She was travelling with her husband on a scooter, en route to Thokottu when they lost control trying to avoid a pothole, causing the scooter to skid and fall. Tragically, a rear wheel of the tanker struck Rehmat, killing her on the spot.

Protest Halts Traffic for an Hour

Angered by the hazardous road conditions, locals blocked the road with stones, demanding immediate repairs. The protest brought traffic on the Thokottu-Kolnaje road to a standstill for over an hour, with vehicles lined up, and many drivers forced to seek alternative routes. A heated argument ensued between the protesting crowd and Ullal police officers as tempers flared.

108 Ambulance Delay Adds to Public Fury

The situation worsened as the ambulance, called to transport the body, failed to arrive due to technical issues, leaving Rehmat’s body on the road for over 30 minutes. Frustrated, the crowd also criticized the local traffic police, accusing them of neglecting road conditions while regularly fining motorists along the pothole-riddled road.

Senior officials, including DCP Dinesh Kumar, Traffic ACP Najma Farooqi, ACP Dhanya Nayak, and Ullal Station Inspector Balakrishna H.N., arrived at the scene to calm the protestors. A case has been registered at Mangaluru South Traffic Police Station, and further investigations are underway.