A six-year-old boy died on the spot while four others sustained severe injuries after the Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV) in which they were traveling rammed into the railing of a flyover on Bengaluru International Airport Road in Chikkajala on Wednesday. The boy’s eyes have been donated to Narayana Nethralaya as per the wishes of his parents. The deceased has been identified as Mohit P. Gowda (6) and the injured are Pradeep Kumar (40) a businessman, his wife Reena (36), his sister Uma (34) and the cab driver Sunil Kumar (22).
According to police, the incident took place early on Wednesday when the family was returning from the airport. The car driver allegedly dozed off, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into the railing of the down ramp. The impact was so severe that the six-year-old boy, who was sitting in the rear seat, fell out of the car, and the car ran over him crushing him to death on the spot.
Mr Pradeep Kumar, who was sitting in co-passenger seat in the front, sustained injuries after iron rods of the railing pierced through the body of the damaged car. Unfortunately, at the time of the accident, there were no ambulances available and all the injured persons were taken to a nearby nursing home in a Tempo Traveler where they were administered first aid and shifted to Columbia Asia Hospital near Hebbal.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, one of Pradeep’s relative, Mr Surendra said, “Pradeep and his family went to see of his parents who were leaving for the US by a 7 am flight. The cab driver apparently dozed off and within seconds he lost control of the vehicle. The car rammed into the railing with such force that the rear door of the car opened and Mohit fell out of the car. Pradeep and his wife Reena are still in a state of shock and are not able to come to terms with the loss of their son”.
After first aid in a nearby private nursing home, Mohit was taken to Columbia Asia Hospital, Hebbal, where he was declared brought dead. “We sent the body to M.S. Ramaiah Hospital mortuary for autopsy”, said Mr Jeremy D’Souza, General Manager, Columbia Asia Hospital. As per the wishes of Mr Pradeep and Mrs Reena, Mohit’s cornea were donated to Narayana Nethralaya. “The two corneas are of A-grade and will be given to those who are on the waiting list in a day or two”, according to Narayana Nethralaya chairman Dr Bhujang Shetty.