Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Karkala, Jun 12: A huge sacred fig tree located at the road bend near the local taluk office uprooted all of a sudden on the main road at about 9.30 am on Wednesday June 11, killing Louis Pais (79) from Bandi Math here who was passing by the tree.

Branches of the tree had to be cut down with the help of the public to remove the body of the deceased from under the tree. The tree was then moved away from the road, using a JCB. The traffic was affected for about an hour due to this accident.

It is reported that two other persons who were walking by at the same time, dodged and ran helter skelter as soon as they heard the noise of the tree getting uprooted and escaped unhurt. The tree is said to be about 200 years old.

Elsewhere in the twin districts, a mobile unit of Sullia KVG Medical College and Hospital catering to chikungunya patients, was hit by a truck loaded with LPG cylinders near Peraje in Sullia. No one was injured in the incident.