Udupi: Speeding Lorry Snuffs Out Life of Brilliant Engg Student
News & Pics: Chethan Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SB)
Udupi, Jul 18: An engineering student was killed and another injured after being knocked down by a lorry at Padubidri here on Saturday July 17.
The deceased has been identified as Pooja Shetty (22), final year civil engineering student at Nitte Meenakshi Adyanthaya Institute of Technology. Her friend, Nikita Shetty (21) has sustained injuries. It is said that a speeding goods lorry ran over the duo, who were waiting for the bus by the side of the road in front of Pragati Complex, while trying to avert a collision with the express bus coming from the opposite direction.
The lorry was on its way to Mumbai from Cochin. Rash and negligent driving is said to be the reason for the mishap. The injured lorry driver Sarja Rao madhav too has been admitted to hospital by the public. Lorry cleaner Chandrakant Bheema Rao has absconded.
While Pooja passed away on the way to the hospital, Nikita has been admitted to a private hospital in Udupi town and is recovering. A case has been registered at Padubidri police station.
Pooja is the daughter of Kodetturguthu late Gopalakrishna Shetty of Kinnigoli in Mangalore taluk, while the injured Nikita is the daughter of Karunakar Shetty, a resident near garadi at Bada Yermal. The duo was on their way back home after finishing their project on on-going Nayat Residency Constructions, Padebettu here.
The deceased Pooja was a meritorious student scoring 89% in pre-university examinations. She completed her Pre-university College education at Kateel having done her schooling from Pune. Her father had died four years ago and was here residing with her mother, Arundhati. She not only excelled in academics, but was a good sportsperson being adept at karate, volleyball, kho-kho.