Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (TP)

Udupi, May 29: An autorickshaw passenger died in an auto-rickshaw and car collision on the Jarigekatte–Saccheripete road in Mundkur village of Karkala, Udupi.

The deceased has been identified as Shrikanth, who sustained critical injuries when the auto-rickshaw he was travelling in collided with a car at a curve on the road connecting Jarigekatte and Saccheripete. Though he was rushed to a nearby hospital by local residents, he succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

According to reports, the collision was severe, leaving the auto-rickshaw completely damaged. The driver of the auto-rickshaw, Mohammed Kaif, suffered minor injuries, while the car driver, Ananth Bhat of Saccheripete, escaped without serious harm. The car also sustained partial damage in the accident.

Shrikanth was reportedly travelling with a puppy at the time of the accident.

Following the incident, the puppy was left stranded and unattended at the accident site, drawing concern from local residents.

Preliminary investigations suggest that overspeeding and negligent driving by the auto-rickshaw driver may have contributed to the mishap. Police from the Karkala Rural police station rushed to the spot, conducted an inspection, and cleared the traffic. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.