Sleeping outside their house to beat the heat turned fatal for a man and his wife, who were run over by a goods vehicle in Rajanakunte in the outskirts of the city on Saturday night.
The deceased — Ramakrishna (58) and his wife Rathnamma (45) — were working as labourers and lived along with their adopted daughter in a rented house on Hegganahalli Main Road.
The couple was killed on the spot after the driver of the goods vehicle did not notice them while attempting to reverse the vehicle.
According to the police, the couple was sleeping very close to the concrete road. Their daughter had stayed with them till around 10 p.m. before going to bed.
The police said the couple always preferred to sleep in the open during summer. Investigations have revealed that the good vehicle had come to pick up a few people from the village.
Ramesh B., Superintendent of Police, said the area did not have streetlights and this caused the oversight on part of the driver. While he was reversing, the rear wheel ran over the couple. A few neighbours, who too were also sleeping outside their house, woke up to the commotion and raised alarm.
In fear, the driver sped away. However, the police have identified him and a team has been formed to trace him, a source said.
A hit-and-run case has been registered at Rajanakunte police station.
Tragic turn
7 p.m.: The couple returns from work. Has dinner with daughter an hour later. Sit outside chatting.
10 p.m.: Daughter goes inside the house to sleep.
11.45 p.m.: Goods vehicle runs over the couple, crushing them to death on the spot. Driver flees.
12.15 a.m.: Rajanukunte police rush to the spot, inquire with the villagers and identify driver.
