Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady

Beltangady, Nov 23: An elderly man died after being hit by a highway construction machine near the Maddadka Mosque on the Punjalkatte–Charmadi highway.

The deceased has been identified as Hamza (72), a resident of Bedrabettu in Indabettu village. He is survived by his wife, son and three daughters.

Hamza had gone to Maddadka for firewood-cutting work. The accident occurred when he was walking along the roadside and the machine operator, identified as Bihari Rai, allegedly reversed the vehicle carelessly and negligently, according to the complaint. Hamza, who suffered severe injuries, was immediately shifted to the Beltangady hospital but was declared dead on arrival. A case has been registered at the Beltangady traffic police station.

Hamza belonged to an economically weak family and continued to work as a firewood cutter even at his age. The family lives in a rented house.