Three labourers including two women construction labourers were killed and six others were injured when an autorickshaw collided with a tractor on National Highway 4 near Nelamangala on the outskirts of the city on Wednesday.
The deceased have been identified as Nanjamma (40), Gangamma (40) and Dhananjaya (22), all passengers of the autorickshaw who were going to their construction site for work when the mishap occured . The injured, including the autorickshaw driver Naveen, have been admitted to different hospitals.
Tension prevailed when passers-by and villagers rushed to the accident spot. Sensing trouble, the tractor driver escaped after abandoning the vehicle.
According to the police, the incident occurred when the tractor, that was going towards Dobbespet, took a right turn without any indication. The autorikshaw, which was carrying over five passengers, coming from the opposite direction rammed the trailer of the tractor.
While Gangamma died on the spot, Dhananjaya died on the way to hospital. Manjamma, who sustained severe head injuries succumbed at NIMHANS, the police said.
The villagers later staged a protest blocking the National Highway.
They alleged that autorickshaws were plying without valid permits and that police negligence was leading to accidents.
