BANGALORE: A biker was killed on the spot and three others sustained injuries after a tree fell on them near MET School on Nagashettyhalli Main Road in Sanjayanagar on Saturday afternoon, police said on Saturday.
Five vehicles were also damaged in the incident, they added.
The deceased has been identified as Ravi, 46, a resident of Bhadrappa Layout and a painter and electrician by profession.
He was running R K Painting and Electrical Works at Maruthinagar in Nagashettyhalli. Raju, 37, who was riding a bike, and Govardhan, 21, an auto driver, have injured their legs in the incident while pedestrian Sujatha has escaped with minor injuries.
The police said that an old peepal tree next to the school uprooted around 3.30 pm and fell on the commuters.
As the tree fell, five electric poles also fell along with it.
The tree directly fell on Ravi, who was passing by on his bike, and others were also injured. It was a herculean task to cut the branches and bring the injured persons out. Later, the injured were shifted to private hospitals in the vicinity. However, the people blamed BBMP for the tragedy and alleged that they had not cut the tree though it was very old and dead from inside. “Though we had requested them to cut the tree, the authorities did not respond and now it has resulted in a tragedy. The impact is less as it was half-day for the school and it would have been disastrous as the school children usually came out around 3.30 pm on week days,” they said.
A car, two autorickshaws and two bikes were damaged in the incident. Following the incident, power supply was cut in the area. Also, the vehicular movement was thrown out of gear as the road was blocked and the police asked vehicle users to take other roads. Sanjayanagar police have registered a case in this connection.
Councillor Speaks
The incident which happened in Nagashettyhalli comes under Radha Krishna Temple Ward. According to its Councilor D Venkatesh, it was an old peepal tree. “The tree though old enough, people there had sentiments as it has Naga stones and Navagraha temple,” he said. “We are clearing the tree and public can use the road after 8 pm,” he said.Venkatesh said that BBMP will pay `1 lakh as compensation to the family members of the victim. “We will give the cheque on Monday,” he added.Earlier, on January 14, 23-year-old Eeshappa, a construction worker, who was a pillion rider was killed after a tree branch fell on him near Siddalingaiah Circle.